KUALA LUMPUR: Given the recent challenges faced by the Malaysian badminton camp, the team's opening Group D tie against Hong Kong in the Thomas Cup next week has become a do-or-die mission.
Winning the match would put Malaysia in the driver's seat to qualify for the knockout stage, but losing it would all but end their hopes in Chengdu, China, even with two more ties remaining against Algeria (April 28) and Denmark (April 30).
Only the top two teams will advance to the quarter-finals.
Doubles player Aaron Chia admitted that the squad are "slightly understrength" after the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had no choice but to drop men's singles player Ng Tze Yong.
World No. 18 Tze Yong is reportedly suffering from a rare post-surgery condition after undergoing an endoscopic spine procedure in February.
Aaron, who forms the world No. 5 men's doubles pairing with Soh Wooi Yik, believes now is the time for the doubles players to step up and give confidence and assurance to the rest of the squad.
"Our opening tie against Hong Kong will make or break our chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
"This is because on paper, Denmark are the group favourites and we are the underdogs.
"Hong Kong are strong in singles, but we have the advantage in doubles.
"I believe in this team. We must go into this tournament with one heart and one mind, then nothing will seem too big a problem," said Aaron.
Separately, the former world champion in men's doubles has another motivation - to add a Thomas Cup medal to his trophy cabinet.
Notably, Aaron-Wooi Yik have secured a podium finish in every major tournament, including the Olympics, but never before in the Thomas Cup.
"The Thomas Cup is a major event, and just like in the Asian Games or even the Commonwealth Games, we really hope to win a medal for the team.
"Regardless of the medal colour, it is definitely a target," added Aaron.
The Malaysian shuttlers, except for former All England champion Lee Zii Jia, are currently in centralised training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
The team, including Zii Jia and his coach Wong Tat Meng, will depart for China on Wednesday.
The last time Malaysia won the Thomas Cup was way back in 1992. At the previous edition in Bangkok, Malaysia lost 3-2 in the quarter-finals to eventual champions India.
