THE withdrawal of England from the Thomas Cup has complicated things for Malaysia in Aarhus, Denmark.
Although Group D's Malaysia, Japan and Canada will have a less hectic schedule compared to the teams in other groups, BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann does not see it as an advantage for the national shuttlers in Aarhus, Denmark.
"There are pros and cons to this.
"Ideally, we'd want to hit the road running, but now we have to strategise differently.
"Our entire periodisation plan for the team had to be revised because of England's withdrawal.
"Having said that, the players are all in good shape and ready for their opening tie on Tuesday."
Malaysia, who last won the Thomas Cup in 1992, will open their Group D campaign against Canada on Tuesday.
On paper, Malaysia are expected to score an easy win over Canada, but the long break in between ties may not do them so much good ahead of their clash against 2014 champions Japan on Thursday.
Unlike Malaysia, who have named 12 shuttlers in the men's squad, Canada will have to make do with six.
Canada, led by world No 39 men's singles Brian Yang, will open against Japan today.
"Following our Sudirman Cup success, expectations are high for our players to do well here. Our target is to go as far as we can in the tournament, but we will take it as it comes," added Choong Hann.
BAM have chosen to stick to their humble quarter-finals target despite overachieving at the Sudirman Cup a week ago in Finland when they reached the last-four stage.
Japan stopped Malaysia in their tracks with a 3-1 win before losing 3-1 in the final to 12-time champions China.
World No 8 Lee Zii Jia leads Malaysia's Thomas Cup team, also comprising Cheam June Wei, Ng Tze Yong, Leong Jun Hao, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Man Wei Chong, Tee Kai Wun and Low Hang Yee.