14/04/2026

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TUESDAY | APR 14, 2026

Malaysian Paper

Malaysia’s Thomas Cup chances slim, says Rashid

THE chances of Malaysia ending a more-than three-decade wait to lift the Thomas Cup appear slim for the 2026 edition, scheduled from April 24 to May 3 in Horsens, Denmark, said badminton legend Datuk Rashid Sidek. He said the underwhelming performances of the national men’s singles players in recent times suggest that Malaysia will face a difficult mission this time around. “Realistically, it is very difficult (for Malaysia) to become champions. One of the factors is our men’s singles lineup, and from there alone you can already see the disadvantage compared to other countries that have top-10 players. “Which of our men’s singles players became World Tour champions last year? If there were any, they were not at major tournaments. Also look at our top player Leong Jun Hao, who was eliminated early in five tournaments he partici pated in this year. It is not that we are underesti

mating him, but that is the fact,”he told Bernama . Apart from Jun Hao, who is ranked world No. 23, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will also rely on Justin Hoh (No. 40), Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (No. 52) and professional player Lee Zii Jia (No. 83) to shoulder the nation’s challenge at Forum Horsens. The last World Tour title for Malaysia came through Zii Jia, who won the 2024 Australian Open (Super 500), while Aidil Sholeh was the last selected Thomas Cup 2026 squad member to win a title, clinching the 2025 Sri Lanka International Challenge. Rashid said Malaysia’s strength in men’s dou bles is not enough to offset their handicap in the singles. “Our strength is more in doubles, but if one pair loses, it will cause major problems for the team. We need two points from doubles if we want to win. So, the men’s singles must also step

Thinaah would strengthen Malaysia’s challenge after they missed the previous edition in Chengdu, China, to focus on preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Although the national team may reach the quarterfinals, they are expected to face a tough challenge in securing a place in the semi-finals. “China, Indonesia and South Korea are strong teams in the Uber Cup. If we meet any of those three teams in the quarterfinals, the players can fight, but winning would be very difficult,” he said. Other players in the Uber Cup squad are K. Letshanaa along with Wong Ling Ching, Siti Zulaikha Azmi and professional player Goh Jin Wei in the singles, while the women’s doubles pairs are Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting and Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah. The women’s team have been drawn in Group B with Japan, Turkey and South Africa. – Bernama

up,” he said. Malaysia’s men’s doubles challenge will be led by world No. 2 pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, as well as Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, and profes sional pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani. Rashid, who was part of the squad that last lifted the Thomas Cup for Malaysia in 1992, said reaching the semifinals would already be consid ered a good achievement based on the current lineup in Horsens. “If they manage to reach the semifinals, it would be good with the current squad we have. A medal would be in hand, and at least national pride would be preserved,” he said. Malaysia have been drawn in Group B with Japan, England and Finland. Commenting on the national women’s squad for the 2026 Uber Cup, also in Horsens, Rashid said the return of world No. 2 pair Pearly Tan-M.

City rampant P EP GUARDIOLA insisted Manchester City must respect Arsenal when they face the Premier League leaders in a seismic title showdown next weekend.

would be much better. “It’s important to beat Arsenal because we are six points behind them. If they beat us it’s over, if we draw also.” Arsenal have twice blown substantial leads to City in the title race in 2023 and 2024. Ominously for the Gunners, City have a well-earned track record for peaking at the business end of the season. When playing within their final 10 games across the last five Premier League seasons Arsenal under pressure, but Guardiola still expects fierce challenge

Guardiola’s side closed the gap on Arsenal to just six points with an emphatic 3-0 win at Chelsea on Sunday. Second half goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku ensured City capitalised on Arsenal’s shock 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth 24 hours earlier. They have a game in hand on Arsenal and victory in their crucial clash at the Etihad Stadium on April 19 would seize the momentum in a gripping title race. City, six-time champions under Guardiola, are hit ting peak form at just the right time, while Arsenal appear to be cracking under the pressure of chasing their first English title since 2004. But Guardiola is well aware of the threat posed by Arsenal despite their recent run of three defeats in four matches in all competitions, including a

since 202/22, City have lost just one of 43 matches, winning 32 times. They have lost just one of their last 19 league games this season and are unbeaten in their last nine. “We are growing. We have

2-0 loss to City in the League Cup final. “The respect I have for Arsenal, what they have done the last few years. I know the manager, the players, the quality, how they compete in every circumstance, that’s the biggest job we have. There is a tactical issue, maybe we will adjust something,” Guardiola said. “They have been the best team in this country, in Europe, so far. Beating Arsenal once is so difficult, imagine beating them twice in a few weeks. We have to rest. “I would like to say to my fans: respect Arsenal a lot, they are an extraordinary team. Come to join us from minute one because the players will do the maximum.” Guardiola believes City were underestimated going into the League Cup final, a feeling which his players were able to use as motivation. Keen to ensure City keep that feeling, he said: “We are going to play against a team that in 49 games lost three games, in the Champions League didn’t lose once this season. “In the League Cup final we were com plete underdogs. There is not one person in this country that would bet £1 that we

long weeks now we are out of Champions League. We are more fresh, in training, everyone knows exactly what they have to do,” Guardiola said. One of the keys to City’s surge has been Rayan Cherki’s inspired form. The France playmaker pro vided the cross for O’Reilly’s opener and a sublime pass for Guehi to net the sec ond. He now has 10 assists in the league in his debut season with City, prompting Guardiola to say: “Rayan is an extraordi nary talent. “He is so young, his impact in Premier League in first season, he is already an extraordinary player. “He has the desire to be even better. That will be good for City and him.” – AFP Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana looks dejected after Man City’s Marc Guehi (not pictured) scores their second goal. – REUTERSPIC

Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes (left) controls the ball from Chelsea’s Cole Palmer during the English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. – AFPPIC

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