KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's defending men's team champions staged a remarkable fightback to keep their title defence alive as both national squads advanced to the knockout stage of the IBF World Cup in Munich on Tuesday.
The qualifying rounds, held over two days, saw both Malaysian teams finish strongly to secure their places in the last 16.
After winning just two of their opening six matches in Group D, the quartet of Rafiq Ismail, Timmy Tan, Tun Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam and Ahmad Muaz Fishol produced five consecutive victories to snatch the fourth and final qualifying spot on Tuesday.
The Malaysians defeated Kuwait, Guatemala, the Netherlands, Serbia and Cyprus, all by 2-0 margins, to finish with seven wins and four defeats for 21 points.
