KUALA LUMPUR (April 5): The national badminton squad has the opportunity to advance to the semi-finals of the 2024 Thomas Cup by fielding their best lineup for the championship, said national badminton legend Datuk Rashid Sidek.

The 1996 Olympic Games bronze medalist said even with good preparation, if the lineup consists of non-top players, it will be difficult for the national squad.

“If the best players are fielded, there is a chance to target the semi-finals.

“I don’t know the target set by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), but if it is to reach the semi-finals, then the best lineup must be fielded,” he told reporters recently.

Meanwhile, Rashid said the service of national professional singles player Lee Zii Jia is needed to ensure the national squad has the best lineup for the team championship campaign, especially with another national men’s singles player, Ng Tze Yong, sidelined due to injury.

“Firstly, Zii Jia must play. In doubles, we have Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, Nur Izzudin Rusmani-Goh Sze Fei, and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, three strong pairs, but we lack in singles. With Tze Yong injured, our singles lineup is weak.

“My personal view (if I were an athlete) is that I want to play in the Thomas Cup because this is where we play for the country. It’s a team championship, and if there’s a sense of patriotism and the desire to bring glory to the country, we will strive to make it into the team,” he said.