Fifth seeds Malaysia begin Sudirman Cup 2017 campaign against Germany in Gold Coast, Australia on Tuesday.
Having drawn in Group 1C, which also has fourth seeds Japan, a good start against group minnows Germany - who were decimated 4-1 by Japan on Sunday - will improve Malaysia's chances of making it to the quarter-final of the tournament.
However, they have to be wary of the 13th-ranked team, who stunned them 3-2 when the two teams last met at the 2013 edition of the tournament.
The onus will be on reigning All England champion Lee Chong Wei to deliver against Germany number one Marc Zwiebler, who, decimated Japan's Kenta Nishimoto 21-8, 21-18 on Sunday. Former world number one pairing of Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong will also be crucial to the team's chances. The said shuttlers won their respective rubbers during the defeat to Germany in 2013 but the Women's singles and doubles unit let them down.
However, with the likes of world junior championships runner-up Goh Jin Wei and Soniia Cheah in their ranks, Malaysia would expect better results this time. Women's doubles pairing of Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei have not been able to open their Sudirman Cup account so far, but the duo have been entrusted with the opportunity of representing the country.
World number 10 Mixed doubles player Peng Soon Chan will be without his injured partner Goh Liu Ying. The India Open semi-finalist will pair up with 21-year-old Cheah Yee See in Australia.
Team News
Malaysia
Possible line-up: Lee Chong Wei (MS), Goh Jin Wei (WS), Tan Wee Kiong/Goh V Shem (MD), Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei (WD), Chan Peng Soon/Cheah Yee See (XD)
Germany
Possible line-up: Marc Zwiebler (MS), Yvonne Li (WS), Marc Lamsfuss/Marvin Emil Seidel (MD), Linda Efler/Lara Kaepplein (WD), Isabel Herttrich/Mark Lamsfuss (XD)
