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Instead, Chong Wei is hoping that fellow Malaysians Lee Zii Jia (No. 2) or Ng Tze Yong (No. 25) will seize the opportunity to do well in front of the home fans.
Veteran independent player Liew Daren, who was the first reserve, was promoted to 世界杯足球 the main draw as a replacement for Momota.
“The players need to prepare well and keep their focus,” he added.
A win could see Daren go up against world No. 1 and hot favourite Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.

Meanwhile, the Japanese team were dealt another blow after women's doubles pair and world No. 8 Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara were also forced to withdraw from the Malaysian Open due to the latter's foot injury.
“While it's disappointing for his fans, who will not get to see him play, I don't think Momota's absence wi 卡塔尔世界杯 ll make much of a difference in the competition,” said Chong Wei.

“I want both to take full advantage of the home support to motivate themselves and do well.
Two-time world champion Momota had pull 2022年世界杯魔咒 ed out of the season's curtain raiser after suffering from flu.
“All the players currently ranked in the world's top 10 will still compete,” said Chong Wei.
When quizzed on whether Momota's compatriot Kodai Naraoka (No. 7) can challenge for the title instead, Chong Wei said: “I don't think so.
“Honestly, if Zii Jia and Tze Yong meet in the second round, it doesn't matter to me who wins,” he said.
“I feel that the other Japanese players may make the quarter-finals or semi-finals but I don't think they can fight for the title.''
Former men's singles great Datuk Lee Chong Wei believes that the Japanese's withdrawal will not have any effect in the home tournament at Axiata Arena which begins on Tuesday.
PETALING JAYA: Kento Momota's no-show in the Malaysian Open is not a big deal.
Zii Jia and Tze Yong could set up an intriguing all-Malaysian second round match if both get past their respective opening hurdles against Naraoka and Ireland's Nhat Nguyen respectively.
World No. 31 Daren will meet world No. 23 Toma Junior of France in the first round.
This is the latest setback for the Japanese, who had dropped to No. 16 in the latest world rankings.
Chong Wei, who had captured the home title a whopping 12 times, feels that Momota's absence will not greatly affect the level of competition as all the players in the world's top 10 will be competing. |
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