Wei Feng delivers winning point, Malaysia edge South Korea 3-2

Malaysia's third singles Chong Wei Feng can walk tall after displaying a smashing performance to deliver the winning point for the Thomas Cup team today.

Wei Feng, who is currently ranked world 68, performed brilliantly to sweep aside higher ranked opponent Jeon Hyeok Jin 21-16, 21-16.

"I feel very happy because it has been some time since I played as good as I did today. I am very satisfied, what is important is that we topped our group.

"But our mission is not over, we have not reached out target. For now we have to stay calm.

"When the tie is like this (2-2), I always make the pressure my motivation to play better because we are team players," Wei Feng told reporters after delivering the crucial point.

Malaysia topped Group C by edging South Korea 3-2 and managed to avoid seeded teams like China in the quarterfinals.

Malaysia registered three straight wins, 4-1 against England and 5-0 over Germany en route to topping Group C.

Apart from Malaysia, the other countries that advanced to the quarterfinals are defending champions Japan, hosts China from Group A, Indonesia, Thailand (Group B), Denmark, Taiwan (Group D) and South Korea as the runners-up in Group C.

The draw for the quarterfinals is expected to take place after all matches are completed.

In the tie against South Korea held at the Kunshan Sports Centre today, world number two Datuk Lee Chong Wei beat Son Wan Ho 21-18, 21-15 in straight sets in the opener but the Koreans levelled the tie when scratch doubles pair of Goh V Shem/Koo Kien Keat lost to Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong in straight sets 16-21, 11-21.

Second singles player Iskandar Zulkarnain came on court to upset world ranked 16th, Lee Dong Keun 21-17, 21-15 and put Malaysia back on the winning track.

But the country's second scratch pair Tan Boon Heong/Tan Wee Kiong failed to deliver the much needed winning point after they lost to Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang 14-21, 22-24 leaving things to "go down to the wire".

Team captain Chong Wei said that as the first singles player, it was important to deliver the first point as an encouragement to the other players.

"Today's game was very different from our first and second. Son Wan Ho is a top class player.

"But what was important was to deliver the first points and try to ensure Malaysia topped the group," he said.