MALAYSIA'S Thomas Cup campaign got off to a winning start when they demolished England 5-0 in their Group B tie on a day when the draft, glare from the lighting and the environment at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, gave the Malaysian players more problems than the young English team.

The manner in which Lee Chong Wei, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Wong Choong Hann won their matches was hardly impressive.

The question now is whether the Malaysians can take a giant leap against South Korea today.

Chong Wei was the first to be troubled by the draft as he made several bad judgements and unforced errors to allow Andrew Smith to give him a run of his money.

The World No 2 also seemed restless and in a hurry to finish the game, and had it not been for his experience, he could have lost. He prevailed 21-17, 21-15 in 31 minutes.
Tan Fook-Wan Wah, the World No 4, had an unimpressive 21-19, 21-16 win over little-known Robert Adhock-Robin Middleton, while Choong Hann played like a novice against England's No 2 Rajiv Ouseph before winning 22-20, 21-16 to give Malaysia an unassailable lead.

Choong Hann, 31, admitted that he had a bad game yesterday.

"The lighting and draft troubled me today (yesterday). Besides that I was unfamiliar with Rajiv's game style," said Malaysia's captain. Only Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and third singles Hafiz Hashim gave a good account of themselves.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong showed grit and determination in their 21-12, 21-12 win over England's Christopher Adcock-Christopher Langridge.

Hafiz also put on an excellent performance to beat Ben Beckman 21-15, 21-14.

National singles coach Misbun Sidek said his charges found it tough to adapt to the conditions in the stadium.

"Adjustments had to be made during their respective opening matches and they took time to make the necessary changes," said Misbun yesterday.

"However, it was a good opening outing for the shuttlers as they will be more prepared for the cruncher against South Korea tomorrow (today)."

Misbun left no doubt that only the best team will play against the South Koreans.

Meanwhile, national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky warned the shuttlers that they must adapt to the stadium's conditions as quickly as possible if they hope to progress.

"If the players fail to do it, we may have problems against the better teams," he said.