PETALING JAYA, May 10 — Morten Frost has thrown his support behind Datuk Lee Chong Wei to land his first victory in eight months as the former world No. 1 returns to competition against South Korea in the Sudirman Cup curtain raiser today.
“Lee is ready to play and he will win his game comfortably,” said Frost.
Lee will most likely take on world No. 5 Son Wan-ho, a player he beat seven times in eight meetings.
The technical director, who is with the team in Dongguan, China, knows the possibility of a victory is monumental.
“Korea will not be easy to beat. It has good players and we are not at that level just yet. Malaysia’s record at the tournament also has not been good with the exception of 2009 when Wong Mew Choo and the doubles pair of Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui did well,” said Frost.
That edition was the furthest Malaysia progressed when it made the semifinals before being routed 3-0 by China.
Malaysia has to beat India in its second tie if it wants to qualify from Group 1D.
Defending champion China is favourite to win for the 10th time, with the luxury of choosing either world No. 1 Chen Long or Lee’s long-time nemesis Lin Dan in singles.
While China is expected to dominate Group 1A, Denmark and Indonesia will be have a tough task for the top spot in Group IC while fending off the challenge from England, who could spring an upset.
Denmark, the only European nation to come close to winning, will be weakened following the absence of key players Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen, Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Perdersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl, who were overlooked after a sponsorship conflict with their national association.
Thomas Cup champions Japan should top Group 1B, with Taiwan most likely to finish above minnows Russia.
