Malaysia Face China In QF, Minister Says Too Early To Speculate Chong Wei's Olympic Medal Chances

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister of Malaysia Ahmad Shabery Cheek who was saddened by the injury to Malaysia's leading gold medal hope at the London Olympics, Lee Chong Wei, said it was too early to make speculate Malaysia's gold medal hope. Chong Wei, playing the first singles, suffered an ankle injury during his match against Denmark's Peter Gade in the Thomas Cup Group C match on Tuesday in Wuhan, China and will return home Wednesday for further treatment at the National Sports Institute (ISN). Ahmad Shabery said the ministry would have to analyze Chong Wei's injury report first before moving on to the next step. "It is still too early to speculate...we do not know the seriousness of the injury...we will look at the medical report after his arrival," he told reporters after appearing in the 'Helo Malaysia' programme at Wisma Bernama here Tuesday night. Chong Wei, ranked world number one, was regarded as the best hope of winning the country's first ever gold medal from the London Olympics. With Chong Wei's exit when the score was 2-1 in the first game, Malaysia lost the match 2-3 and will have an uphill task to make the semifinals. Meanwhile, as expected Malaysia will meet China in the quarterfinals starting 7pm Wednesday. In the Thomas Cup quarterfinal draw held on Tuesday night, Indonesia will face Japan, Russia take on Denmark and Germany are up against South Korea. In the Uber Cup competition, China face Germany, Thailand meet Denmark, Taiwan face South Korea and Indonesia will be up against Japan. --BERNAMA