THOMAS CUP PREVIEW: FOUR GIANTS AT SEMI-FINAL STAGE
Wednesday, May 12, 2004, 2:34:42 PM
The 2004 Bank Mandiri Thomas Cup final round will play last eight matched tonight, Wednesday evening starting 19:00 WIB (12:00 GMT) at the Senayan Indoor Stadium Jakarta, but most likely that four world's badminton giants will perform at the semi-final stage on Thursday (May 13).
China, Korea, Denmark will almost take the positions in the semi-finals while another seat still has to be decided by the match between the defending Thomas champion Indonesia and its Southeast Asian rival Malaysia.
Favorite China is tipped to keep its record of being unbeatable during the this year's competitions when playing sixth-seeded Japan.
Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai, Chen Hong and Xia Xuanze have showed off their consistent perfomance amid the pressure given by notorious local spectators.
Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun and Sang Yang/Zheng Bo have also stayed unbeatable, even when they faced Indonesia's stroung duets at the prelimanary staged.
China, who has determined to pay back their agonizing defeat they suffered at Thomas Cup Finals in their home ground two years back, has only lost one set during their preliminary matches.
Seeded forth South Korea is also predicted to conquer their opponent Thailand with ease.
The Koreans have even never lost any single set in their preliminary matches, proving that the absence of doubles specialist Ha Tae Kwon, does not impact their strength.
Lee Hyun Ill, Shong Seung Mo and Jang Young Soo are, on the paper, unmatchable for Boonsak Ponsana, Anupap Tiraratsakul and Adisak Wirayapadungpong.
Korea's pairs Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung will be too strong for mediocre Pramote Teerawiwatana/Tesana Panvisvas.
If Korea succeded in kicking Thailand out and China brushing away Japan, the semi-final match between Korea versus China will become the one with full of intrigues.
Something for sure is that the Chinese squad will not let themselves repeat the hurtful loss when beaten by Malaysia at the semi-final.
Denmark, seeded two, with "two Peter" (Peter Gade and former world champion Peter Rasmussen) will become the key players to secure two points.
In doubles, they are no doubt to be levelled by any opponents as the team will field world champions and world's number one Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen and All England as well as Europe champions Jens Eriksson/Martin Lundgaard-Hansen.
Denmark's 3-0 victory over Germany is the most probable score to be resulted in the quarter-final match between the two teams representing European Zone this evening. Denmark may face the winner of Southeastasian derby between Malaysia and host Indonesia.
Following their major 0-5 loss to China in the group preliminary match, skepticism has been raising whether the 13 times Thomas champion Indonesia will take their sixth straight victory this year.
Malaysia itself has kept their old players to be fielded in the match and included small number of debutants like Lee Chong Wei playing in singles.
Wong Choong Hann alongside siblings pair Roslin and Hafid Hashim as well player Lee Tsuen Seng will be the backbones for Malaysia in trying to secure points.
In doubles, Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah as well as Chang Choon Ming/Chew Choon Eng are in their best conditions.
While Malaysia are backed by 80% old players, Indonesia fields three old players who performed in previous competition two years ago, namely Taufik Hidayat and two doubles specialists Chandra Wijaya and Tri Kushariyanto.
Sony Dwi Kuncoro, who two years ago was still an observer and sparing partner for his seniors when the team competed in Guangzhou, now has to shoulder the biggest responsibility to secure starting point when playing Wong Choon Hann.
In singles, Taufik Hidayat will be backed up by debutant and unexperienced Simon Santoso.
Luluk Hadiyanto/Alvent Yulianto, Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian and Chandra Wijaya/Tri Kushariyanto are the pairs ready to be fielded.
Some journalists covering the 2004 Bank Mandiri Thomas and Uber Cup Finals have bet on Malaysia's win, either in 3-2, 3-1, or even 3-0 score.
