Aaron: Sudirman Cup more realistic for Malaysia than Thomas Cup success

KUALA LUMPUR: Aaron Chia believes Malaysia have a better chance of winning the mixed-team Sudirman Cup than the Thomas or Uber Cups due to limited squad depth, especially in singles.

Aaron, who forms the world No. 3 men's doubles pair with Soh Wooi Yik, said the Thomas and Uber Cup formats expose structural weaknesses in the national squad.

"For now, the chances are there," he said.

"Maybe a bit less for Thomas Cup and Uber Cup, but for Sudirman Cup, I feel we are quite strong."

Aaron's view comes despite Malaysia never having won the Sudirman Cup since its inception in 1989.

The nation's best results were semi-final appearances in 2009, 2021, and 2023.

In this year's edition in Xiamen, Malaysia were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual champions China.

Malaysia will bid for a first Sudirman Cup title in 2027, provided the men's and women's singles shuttlers show more consistency.

Aaron said the mixed-team format is more realistic as it does not place an excessive burden on either the men's or women's line-ups alone.

The country have significant depth in men's doubles, relying on world No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik, No. 5 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, and No. 7 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.

In the women's and mixed doubles, points can be delivered by world No. 2 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.

However, in the Uber Cup, Malaysia lack top-tier depth beyond Pearly-Thinaah.

While Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong's form remains untested following injuries, the team will be forced to rely on world No. 28 Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh, who have struggled with consistency, in the Thomas Cup.

"In the Sudirman Cup, it's a mixed team and all the first-choice players will be in the same squad," said Aaron.

"So the chances to do well are higher."

The Thomas Cup and Uber Cup will be held in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3.

Malaysia last won the Thomas Cup in 1992, while the women's team reached the Uber Cup quarter-finals in 2004, 2008, and 2010.