Malaysia Edge Past India – Sudirman Cup ’19

Rankireddy (back) and Ponnappa gave India the lead.

Malaysia dodged India’s challenge today at the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup 2019 and sit pretty in their quest for a quarterfinals place.

The Malaysians can afford to feel secure about qualifying from Group 1D, for India are now faced with the difficult task of beating China in the last group clash. An Indian upset would result in the three teams being equal on points, and the group qualifiers to be decided on countback.

Chow Mei Kuan and Lee Meng Yean clinched the tie for Malaysia beating Ashwini Ponnappa/Sikki Reddy 21-11 21-19 in the fifth match after the teams were 2-all.

Match of the Session

The Indians scored the psychological first blow, with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa – in their first match this season – coming through a tense end game against Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai.

Rankireddy was in fine fettle – not only did he put away anything that was in hitting range, he showed finesse in placement and angles to have the Malaysians constantly on edge. The Indians held a narrow lead in the third before the Malaysians caught up and had two opportunities to close it out, but Rankireddy and Ponnappa were up to the task, and they denied their opponents on both occasions before nailing victory at 16-21 21-17 24-22.

India surprisingly fielded Sameer Verma instead of the higher-ranked Kidambi Srikanth against Lee Zii Jia, and the move backfired, with Lee storming through, 21-13 21-15. Pusarla V Sindhu expectedly gave India the lead once again, outclassing Goh Jin Wei 21-12 21-8.

Lee Zii Jia cut down Sameer Verma to bring back Malaysia into the contest.

Malaysia threw in a surprise for the men’s doubles, fielding scratch pair Aaron Chia and Teo Ee Yi.

The move nearly worked against them, for Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Attri duelled on level terms. The Malaysians shook off the persistent Indians at the death and brought their team level at 2-all.

Finally, Chow and Lee swung it for Malaysia, overcoming a big deficit in the second game to capture the tie, 21-11 21-19.

“It’s quite a big win,” said Lee Meng Yean. “We fought well as a team. It was 2-all and important to win and our coach told us to enjoy our match.”

Scratch pair Aaron Chia (left) and Teo Ee Yi delivered the men’s doubles for Malaysia.

Talking Point

“It wasn’t easy; Sameer (Verma) is a rally player, and I tried very hard. Honestly, before the match I felt pressure because we expected our mixed doubles to win. But this is a team event and I had to take responsibility and win and I’m proud of it.” – Lee Zii Jia, after neutralising India’s 1-0 lead.

Fightback by Vietnam, Ireland

Vietnam recovered from 0-2 down against USA in Group 2A. Pham Cao Cuong (women’s singles), Dinh Thi Phuong Hong /Vu Thi Trang (women’s doubles) and Do Tuan Duc /Pham Hong Nam (men’s doubles) helped Vietnam to victory after Howard Shu/Paula Lynn Obanana and Iris Wang had given USA the lead.

Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen (right) and Sam Magee in action.

Ireland too fought off a 0-2 deficit to beat New Zealand 3-2 in Group 3A.

Nhat Nguyen came to Ireland’s rescue, clinching the men’s singles before Rachael Darragh/Chloe Magee (women’s doubles) made it 2-all. Nguyen then combined with Sam Magee to complete the rescue act as the Ireland duo beat Manota/Dacmen Wong 21-17 21-13.

Nepal gave a good account of themselves against Australia, going down 2-3 in Group 3A. In Group 4A, Kazakhstan beat Greenland 4-1.

Sudirman Cup News

Sudirman Cup: The Most Thrilling Battles

Sudirman Cup: The Most Thrilling Battles

5 June 2019
Stars Who Shone; Those Who Didn’t

Stars Who Shone; Those Who Didn’t

4 June 2019
Key Moments: Chen vs. Yamaguchi – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Key Moments: Chen vs. Yamaguchi – Sudirman Cup ‘19

30 May 2019
Slovakia Daring to Dream – Sudirman Cup ’19

Slovakia Daring to Dream – Sudirman Cup ’19

28 May 2019
Key Moments: Shi vs. Momota – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Key Moments: Shi vs. Momota – Sudirman Cup ‘19

28 May 2019
As It Happened CHN vs JPN – Sudirman Cup ‘19

As It Happened CHN vs JPN – Sudirman Cup ‘19

27 May 2019
Celebrations and Concessions – Sudirman Cup ’19

Celebrations and Concessions – Sudirman Cup ’19

26 May 2019
China’s Young Heroes Reclaim Title – Sudirman Cup ’19

China’s Young Heroes Reclaim Title – Sudirman Cup ’19

26 May 2019
Park: We’re Going All Out! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Park: We’re Going All Out! – Sudirman Cup ’19

25 May 2019
Big Guns Boom for China – Sudirman Cup ’19

Big Guns Boom for China – Sudirman Cup ’19

25 May 2019
Brilliant Canada Top Group 2 – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Brilliant Canada Top Group 2 – Sudirman Cup ‘19

25 May 2019
Indonesia Hobble Past Chinese Taipei – Sudirman Cup ’19

Indonesia Hobble Past Chinese Taipei – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Japan Stay on Track – Sudirman Cup ’19

Japan Stay on Track – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Jonassen: Young Generation ‘Hungry’ – Sudirman Cup ’19

Jonassen: Young Generation ‘Hungry’ – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
Another Teen Star in the Making – Sudirman Cup ’19

Another Teen Star in the Making – Sudirman Cup ’19

24 May 2019
China Coast into Semis – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Coast into Semis – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Defending Champs Trip Over Thailand – Sudirman Cup ’19

Defending Champs Trip Over Thailand – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Netherlands Fight Back From Brink – Sudirman Cup ‘19

Netherlands Fight Back From Brink – Sudirman Cup ‘19

23 May 2019
Rankireddy Impressive in Comeback from Fracture

Rankireddy Impressive in Comeback from Fracture

23 May 2019
Final Eight Draw – Sudirman Cup ’19

Final Eight Draw – Sudirman Cup ’19

23 May 2019
Danes Deliver! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Danes Deliver! – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Korea Beat Chinese Taipei, Top Group – Sudirman Cup ’19

Korea Beat Chinese Taipei, Top Group – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
No Stopping An Se Young! – Sudirman Cup ’19

No Stopping An Se Young! – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Israeli Youngster Embracing the Big Stage – Sudirman Cup ’19

Israeli Youngster Embracing the Big Stage – Sudirman Cup ’19

22 May 2019
Thailand Thwart Russia – Sudirman Cup ’19

Thailand Thwart Russia – Sudirman Cup ’19

21 May 2019
Pathway to Success for Kazakhstan – Sudirman Cup ’19

Pathway to Success for Kazakhstan – Sudirman Cup ’19

21 May 2019
Continental Conquest! – Sudirman Cup ’19

Continental Conquest! – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
Korea into Quarters – Sudirman Cup ’19

Korea into Quarters – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
China Club Stint Powers Malkov – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Club Stint Powers Malkov – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
Wake-Up Call for Japan – Sudirman Cup ’19

Wake-Up Call for Japan – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
‘Greatest moment ever’ says Greenland – Sudirman Cup ’19

‘Greatest moment ever’ says Greenland – Sudirman Cup ’19

20 May 2019
China Brush Off Scare – Sudirman Cup ’19

China Brush Off Scare – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Iris Wang Unable to Resist Badminton’s Lure – Sudirman Cup ’19

Iris Wang Unable to Resist Badminton’s Lure – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Thrilling Win for Canada – Sudirman Cup ’19

Thrilling Win for Canada – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Learning Curve for Nepal – Sudirman Cup ’19

Learning Curve for Nepal – Sudirman Cup ’19

19 May 2019
Mixed Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Mixed Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

19 May 2019
Speaking Their Minds – Sudirman Cup ’19

Speaking Their Minds – Sudirman Cup ’19

18 May 2019
Women’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Women’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

18 May 2019
Denmark in Transition Phase – Sudirman Cup ’19

Denmark in Transition Phase – Sudirman Cup ’19

18 May 2019
Indonesia Hold the Aces in Group 1B

Indonesia Hold the Aces in Group 1B

17 May 2019
Final Preparations on Sudirman Cup Eve

Final Preparations on Sudirman Cup Eve

16 May 2019
India-Malaysia Duel Likely to Decide Group 1D

India-Malaysia Duel Likely to Decide Group 1D

15 May 2019
A Twist in the Tale – Sudirman Cup in the 2010s

A Twist in the Tale – Sudirman Cup in the 2010s

15 May 2019
Men’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Men’s Singles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

14 May 2019
Spotlight On Canada-Germany Clash

Spotlight On Canada-Germany Clash

11 May 2019
Women’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Women’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

10 May 2019
Tight Contest Expected between Netherlands, France

Tight Contest Expected between Netherlands, France

9 May 2019
Sung’s Pullout a Setback for Korea in Group 1C

Sung’s Pullout a Setback for Korea in Group 1C

8 May 2019
The Clash of Powerhouses – Sudirman Cup in the 90s

The Clash of Powerhouses – Sudirman Cup in the 90s

7 May 2019
Glory on Home Soil – Sudirman Cup ’89

Glory on Home Soil – Sudirman Cup ’89

3 May 2019
Men’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

Men’s Doubles at Sudirman Cup – A Form Guide

2 May 2019
Spotlight on Japan, China – Sudirman Cup ’19

Spotlight on Japan, China – Sudirman Cup ’19

30 April 2019
Chinese Taipei Can Go Far – Sudirman Cup ’19

Chinese Taipei Can Go Far – Sudirman Cup ’19

27 April 2019
Everybody Wants to Beat Japan, Says Okuhara

Everybody Wants to Beat Japan, Says Okuhara

26 April 2019
Title Triumph Not Far Away, Says Nehwal

Title Triumph Not Far Away, Says Nehwal

25 April 2019
Loh Looks Forward to Team Challenge

Loh Looks Forward to Team Challenge

24 April 2019
‘Team Spirit and Self-Belief are Important’: Wong Choong Hann

‘Team Spirit and Self-Belief are Important’: Wong Choong Hann

23 April 2019
China’s Trump Cards – Zheng & Huang

China’s Trump Cards – Zheng & Huang

22 April 2019
Intanon Optimistic About Thailand’s Chances

Intanon Optimistic About Thailand’s Chances

21 April 2019
Kidambi Keen to Lead India to Team Glory

Kidambi Keen to Lead India to Team Glory

20 April 2019
Month-Long Countdown Begins for Sudirman Cup

Month-Long Countdown Begins for Sudirman Cup

19 April 2019
‘Looking to Convert Pressure into Motivation’: Zhang Jun

‘Looking to Convert Pressure into Motivation’: Zhang Jun

19 April 2019
Setback for Korea’s Sudirman Cup Preparations

Setback for Korea’s Sudirman Cup Preparations

25 March 2019

Early Test for Hosts China: Sudirman Cup Draw

19 March 2019
Japan Get Top Billing – Sudirman Cup

Japan Get Top Billing – Sudirman Cup

11 March 2019
Hosts Ready as Sudirman Cup Countdown Begins

Hosts Ready as Sudirman Cup Countdown Begins

20 February 2019
Sudirman Cup Attracts 32 Entries

Sudirman Cup Attracts 32 Entries

18 February 2019
GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

GoDaddy Extends Major Events Partnership with BWF

11 February 2019
Sudirman Cup the Final Frontier for Park

Sudirman Cup the Final Frontier for Park

25 January 2019
PARTNERS