Malaysia v Japan, Sudirman Cup 2017: Live streaming information, TV listings and start time

Fifth seeds Malaysia take on fourth seeds Japan in final Group 1C tie on Wednesday.

Akane Yamaguchi
Akane Yamaguchi will be key to Malaysia's chances on Wednesday Reuters

Fifth seeds Malaysia take on inaugural Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships winners Japan in the final Group 1C tie of 2017 Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast, Australia on Wednesday.

Both teams, having decimated group minnows Germany, will be looking to clinch the group top-spot, which will help the teams when it comes to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Unlike Malaysia, who blanked Germany on Tuesday, Japan lost a match to earn a 4-1 win on Sunday. However, it will be the fourth seeds, who will start as favourites on Wednesday.

Malaysia are likely to rest world number one Lee Chong Wei, who needed only 34 minutes to win his rubber over Germany's Fabian Roth, and give fit-again Iskandar Zulkarnain an opportunity. 2016 Singapore Open champion Kenta Nishimoto though will be motivated to make amends for his loss to Marc Zwiebler in his tournament opener.

While Malaysia have had problems with their women's teams in the past, former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei's commanding win over Fabienne Deprez on Tuesday will give the team a lot of confidence. However, the 17-year-old will face a stiff test as she is expected to face world number three Akane Yamaguchi or world number 10 Nozomi Okuhara.

Men's doubles pairing of Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong will be facing their first big test of the tournament against world number six duo of Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda and the result of the rubber is likely to influence the tie.

Team News

Malaysia

Possible line-up: Iskandar Zulkarnain (MS), Goh Jin Wei (WS), Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong (MD), Vivian Hoo, Woon Khe Wei (WD), Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing (XD)

Japan

Possible line-up: Kenta Nishimoto (MS), Akane Yamaguchi (WS), Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonoda (MD), Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi (WD), Kenta Kazuno/Ayane Kurihara (XD)

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