PETALING JAYA: It was a difficult call to make in the midst of the Thomas Cup Finals, but one national men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi insists was necessary.

And the Indonesian has stood by Malaysia’s decision to field scratch pairs during their final Group B tie against Japan in Horsens, Denmark, last week, stating that it was a collective decision after weighing other factors.

The move to split world No. 2 pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik yielded mixed results but Herry said the call was made after primarily taking into account Man Wei Chong’s physical condition.

“It was a team decision. We had discussed and decided that it was the best step to take,” said Herry when met at the Academy Badminton Malaysia yesterday.

“Wei Chong also informed us that he wasn’t in the best condition, saying he wasn’t quite ready due to some pain in his leg.

“So we had to look at how the men’s doubles could be fielded to deliver the best result. And that was the decision we made.

“Although the results were not in our favour, the players delivered to the maximum.”

In the tie against Japan, Malaysia went down 2-3 but advanced for the quarter-finals as Group B runners-up.

Leong Jun Hao fell first to Kodai Naraoka, before the scratch pairing of Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun evened things with a 16-21, 21-14, 21-19 win over Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi.

However, Justin Hoh fell 15-21, 12-21 to Yushi Tanaka.

All eyes were on the other scratch pair of Soh Wooi Yik-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, but the duo gave the winning point away to Takumi Nomura-Yuichi Shimogami, who won 14-21, 21-19, 21-19.

Malaysia’s hopes of ending their 34-year wait for Thomas Cup glory was then dashed in the quarter-finals after they fell 0-3 to China, who went on to clinch their 12th title.