MY: BADMINTON: Thomas & Uber Cup Results & Reports (Feb 24)
Sooraj Nair
* POSTED WITH PERMISSION *
* Copyright Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd *
* The Star Online, http://www.jaring.my/star/ *
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Related Stories:
* Target: Malaysia
* A sleepless night for Razif despite easy victory
* Malaysia are still the team the Indonesians fear most
* Rashid soars high after convincing win over Fung Permadi
* Malaysian girls crash to third defeat
* The Thomas Cup qualifiers
* Results of qualifiers
TARGET: MALAYSIA
Koreans throw China tie to set up clash with our boys
By S.T. Arasu
_________________________________________________________________
AUCKLAND: The expected thriller between South Korea and China fizzled
out as the Koreans surprised even their opponents by fielding an
understrength side in the Thomas Cup qualifying rounds at the Auckland
Badminton Hall last night.
Both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals and had been
expected to field their best players to pick up a win that would have
allowed them to avoid Malaysia.
But the Koreans, surprisingly, were gunning for a fight with Malaysia.
They fielded their doubles players in the singles and vice versa and
China had little difficulty beating them 5-0 to set up a semi-final
meeting against Taiwan.
South Korean chief coach Kim Chul-sung said they had not been
confident of beating the Chinese. "We preferred to conserve our energy
for the semi-finals and the final," said Chul-sung.
He said that if the Koreans had played their best line-up and still
ended up losers, the players would be very tired for the crucial
stages.
"We are now more confident of beating Malaysia in the semi-finals. But
we know that it is not going to be any easier," he added.
"It will be 3-2 either way. The first singles will be the most crucial
for either team," said Chul-sung.
The Koreans are expected to field Park Sung-woo in the first singles
against Rashid Sidek. And they are also likely to use doubles
specialist Park Joo-bong as their trump card against Malaysia.
Yesterday, neither played against China.
Kim Hak-kyun played first and he was happy to throw away the match
6-15, 2-15 to Dong Jiong.
Hak-kyun is the third singles player in the Korean side. The Koreans
fielded doubles players Kim Dong-moon and Lee Dong-soo as second and
third singles respectively.
Dong-moon lost 4-15, 6-15 to Sun Jun while Dong-soo was beaten 5-15,
1-15 by Lin Liwen.
Both their singles players, Lee Kwang-jin and Park Sung-woo only
played in the doubles.
Chul-soong added that they would probably bring in Joo-bong for the
match against Malaysia. "He could play in the first doubles or second.
We will decide later," said Chul-sung.
A SLEEPLESS NIGHT FOR RAZIF DESPITE EASY VICTORY
By S.T. Arasu
_________________________________________________________________
AUCKLAND: It must have been a sleepless night for national coach Razif
Sidek on the eve of his side's semi-final tie against South Korea.
Razif was certainly concerned by the performances of some of his
players although Malaysia romped to a 5-0 win over Thailand in their
last Group Y match of the Thomas Cup qualifiers.
Having qualified for the semi-finals earlier, the Malaysian side chose
to rest top ranked Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock and brought in Choong
Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah for the first time.
The fact that Tan Fook-Wan Wah struggled to beat the scratch pair of
Sakrapee Thongsari-Kitipon Kitikul 15-7, 15-17, 15-6 hardly bothered
Razif.
What he was more concerned with was the lethargic displays from second
singles Ong Ewe Hock and the Wira Tangkis duo of Soo Beng Kiang-Tan
Kim Her in the first doubles.
Ewe Hock, once again appeared jaded in his 15-12, 15-8 win over
Apichai Theeraratskul while Beng Kiang-Kim Her were lucky to clinch a
2-15, 15-15, 15-13 win over Siripong Siripol-Khunakorn Sudhisoshi.
"Ewe Hock's slow starts are a worrying factor but I hope he can step
up the pace tomorrow," said Razif.
Yesterday Ewe Hock was down 0-4 in the first game and 0-6 in the
second before winning in 46 minutes.
"I am more worried about Beng Kiang-Kim Her. They are still finding it
difficult to kill the shuttle," said Razif.
Beng Kiang-Kim Her had to muster all their experience to come back
from 6-11 down to win the deciding game last night.
Earlier Malaysia picked up their first point through Rashid Sidek who
took just 23 minutes to beat Kitipon 15-3, 15-4.
"Rashid is shaping up just right and his victory over Park Sung-woo in
the semi-finals today will put us in the right track," said Razif.
Razif was also impressed with Pang Chen's 15-3, 15-4 demolition of
Nattapol Saravan in the third singles.
"Although the Koreans are strong in the singles, I expect all three
matches to be keenly contested.
"We need to win at least one singles to beat the Koreans," said Razif.
Razif added that Malaysia held the edge in the doubles.
"We can win the first doubles and even the Koreans know that.
"The second doubles will be a close affair if South Korea field Park
Joo-bong," said Razif.
MALAYSIA ARE STILL THE TEAM THE INDONESIANS FEAR MOST
AUCKLAND: China and South Korea may look stronger but it is Malaysia
that the Indonesians are still worried about.
Indonesian team manager Hadi Nasri, who arrived here to keep tabs on
the opposition, maintained that Malaysia remained their biggest worry,
if they make the Finals in Hong Kong in May as expected.
"I don't think the results here will matter much during the Finals,"
said Hadi yesterday.
Indonesia defeated Malaysia 3-0 to win the Thomas Cup in Jakarta two
years ago.
"As a team, Malaysia are still the most dangerous side for us. They
have proven it numerous times before this," said Hadi.
Hadi said that although they defeated Malaysia 5-0 at the Chiangmai
SEA Games in last December, the Indonesians were still wary of the
Malaysian threat.
"Many times before this, Malaysia looked weak but still managed to
beat us.
"We are certainly not going to be influenced by the results here,"
said Hadi.
He said that although the Chinese and the Koreans have better ranked
players on their sides but that was not an assurance that they would
fare better than Malaysia in the Finals.
"When Malaysia won the Cup in 1992, they did not have great players
like the Chinese," said Hadi.
"But they they have several players who can swing the tide of the
game. The present squad also have some players who can swing the tide
of the game."
Hadi cited the defeat of Hariyanto Arbi by Rashid Sidek at the World
Grand Prix Finals last year as an example.
"Malaysia also have a strong doubles pair in Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim
Hock. They can be relied on for a point," he said.
He added that Kim Hock was certain to be fully recovered for the
Finals and would be even more dangerous.
"Even the younger players like Ong Ewe Hock and Pang Chen can
surprise," said Hadi.
RASHID SOARS HIGH AFTER CONVINCING WIN OVER FUNG PERMADI
AUCKLAND: After beating Fung Permadi of Taiwan, Rashid Sidek is riding
high in confidence and ready to scalp all that stand before him in the
Thomas Cup qualifying rounds here.
"When I came here I had three personal targets, to beat Fung, Park
Sung-woo and Dong Jiong," said Rashid.
"Now that I have reached my first target, I am looking forward to the
second and third," said the 27-year-old shuttler last night.
Rashid will get to play Sung-woo first as Malaysia have been drawn to
meet South Korea in the semi-finals today.
Both Sung-woo and Dong Jiong are ranked higher than Rashid and a win
over these players will help improve Rashid's ranking before the
Atlanta Olympics.
Rashid is ranked ninth in the world compared to Sung-woo's seventh
while Dong Jiong is number six.
"The task gets more difficult but I have nothing to lose. They are the
favourites," said Rashid.
Rashid knows that the match against Sung-woo today will not only be
crucial for his career but also for Malaysia.
"It is difficult to gauge Sung-woo's current form as he has not been
playing in any of their previous matches," he lamented.
Rashid had beaten Sung-woo, who recently recovered from an ankle
injury he picked up last July, only once in their previous four
meetings.
However Sung-woo entered the semi-finals of the Korean Open, his first
tournament since the injury.
"The Koreans are playing mind games in keeping him at the bench. I
will not be caught unaware by their action," said Rashid.
He added that Sung-woo was still a formidable player and he had to
tread him with caution.
"Still I am focused on beating Sung-woo. After that, if the situation
permits, I will start thinking about Dong Jiong," said Rashid, who has
yet to drop a game in his previous three matches here.
MALAYSIAN GIRLS CRASH TO THIRD DEFEAT
AUCKLAND: Malaysia ended up as wooden-spoonist after crashing to their
third successive defeat in Group Y of the Uber Cup qualifying rounds
at the Auckland Badminton Hall last night.
The Malaysian girls, who defeated New Zealand comfortably in their
friendly matches last week, succumbed to pressure as they lost 2-3.
The biggest disappointment in the side was first singles Chan Chia
Fong and their top doubles pair of Kuak Sieok Choon-Norashikin Amin.
Chia Fong ended her Uber Cup campaign without a single win as she lost
to Rhona Robertson 1-11, 9-12.
Last night the pint-sized Malaysian lass played a far too predictable
game as her lob and drop style was easily read by Robertson.
Geevien Saha fared no better against Julie Still in the second singles
losing 8-11, 1-11.
Lee Winnie pulled a point back for Malaysia when she beat Amanda
Carter 11-12, 11-8, 11-9.
Sieok Choon-Norashikin played listlessly as they bowed out 6-15, 4-15
to the Robertson-Tammy Jenkins pair tamely.
The scratch pair of Lim Pek Siah-Law Pei Pei beat Still-Megan Heaney
15-5, 15-12 to reduce the deficit.
THE THOMAS CUP QUALIFIERS
Semi-Final match-ups
MALAYSIA vs SOUTH KOREA
THE WINNING team will be safely through not only to the final here but
also to the Thomas Cup Finals in Hong Kong. South Korea have the
overall edge based on their stronger singles player. The return of
Park Joo-bong may also be a plus point for the Koreans.
First singles: Rashid Sidek vs Park Sung-woo
Sung-woo holds a 3-1 record playing against Rashid. Although he had
only recently recovered from an ankle injury, Sung-woo showed he was
still a force to be reckoned with when he entered the South Korean
Open semi-finals last month. Rashid did well against Fung Permadi
earlier this week, but things could heat up here.
Point could go either way.
Second singles: Ong Ewe Hock vs Lee Kwang-jin
EWE HOCK is the weakest of the three Malaysian singles players. His
fitness is suspect and he has been struggling against lesser-known
players. Although he has beaten Kwang-jin before, the Korean holds the
edge this time.
Point for Korea.
Third singles: Pang Chen vs Kim Hak-kyun
Pang Chen is the revelation of the Malaysian side at the qualifiers
with his consistent display. He goes into the game having beaten
Hak-kyun in their last meeting. Hak-kyun is also carrying a knee
injury.
Point could go either way.
First doubles: Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock vs Lee Dong-soo-Ha tae-kwan
The South Koreans are likely to go for a scratch pair here as they do
not have the ability to beat Soon Kit-Kim Hock. Despite his lack of
fitness, Kim Hock has been blending well with Soon Kit.
Point for Malaysia.
Second doubles: Soo Beng Kiang-Tan Kim Her vs Kim Dong-moon-Park
Joo-bong.
Joo-bong is likely to make his first appearance for the Koreans. His
inclusion will boost the attack of the Korean pair. Beng Kiang-Kim Her
will be under tremendous pressure.
Point could go either way.
TAIWAN vs CHINA
CHINA will have an easy match to book their place in the Finals. They
should wrap up the tie in the first three singles alone.
First singles: Fung Permadi vs Dong Jiong
Fung does not possess any special weapons but neither does Dong Jiong.
But the Chinese player is more consistent of the duo.
Point for China.
Second singles: Chang Jeng-shyung vs Sun Jun
Jeng-shyung has been giving the better players a run for their money.
But he has not been able to sustain the pressure. Sun Jun is fast and
deceptive with his shots.
Point for China.
Third singles: Liu En-horng vs Lin Liwen
En-horng's fighting quality alone will not be enough to see him
through Liwen. The Chinese player is more skilful and stronger in his
attacks.
Point for China.
First doubles: Horng Shin-jeng-Huang Chuan-chen vs Huang
Zhanzhong-Jiang Xin
The Chinese pair are unbeatable on their day. Even if they are not,
they should pac too much power for the Taiwanese.
Point for China.
Second doubles: Lee Sung-yuan-Liu En-horng vs Ge Cheng-Tao Xiaoqiang
The weakest link in the formidable Chinese side. Ge Cheng-Xiaoqiang
have not displayed any special qualities to distinguish them from
other pairs. However it will still take a monumental effort from the
Taiwanese to beat them.
Point for China.
RESULTS OF QUALIFIERS
Asian qualifier
Thomas Cup
GROUP X
New Zealand bt Japan 3-2 (Nick Hall bt Fumihiko Machida 15-9, 15-10;
Dean Galt lost to Seichi Watanabe 11-15, 9-15; Glenn Stewart lost to
Takahiro Suka 17-15, 11-15, 14-17; Dean Galt-Grant Walker bt Fumihiko
Machida-Seichi Watanabe 4-15, 18-17, 15-13; Nick Hall-Glenn Stewart bt
Takahiro Suka-Norio Imai 15-7, 17-15.)
China bt S. Korea 5-0 (Dong Jiong bt Kim hak-kyun 15-6, 15-2; Sun Jun
bt Kim Dong-moon 15-4, 15-6; Lin Liwen bt Lee Dong-soo 15-5, 15-1;
Huang Zhanzhong-Jiang Xin bt Ha Tae-kwan-Lee Kwang-jin 15-11, 15-3; Ge
Cheng-Tao Xiaoqiang bt Yoo Yong-sung-Park Sung-woo 15-1, 15-1.)
GROUP Y
Taiwan bt Australia 3-2 (Fung Permadi bt Craig Booley 15-6, 15-5;
Chang Jeng-shyung bt Stuart Metcalfe 15-9, 15-12; Liu En-horng bt
David Bamford 15-4, 15-4; Horng Shin-jeng-Huang Chuan-chen lost to
Peter Blackburn-Paul Staight 11-15, 5-15; Lee Sung-yuan-Liu En-horng
lost to Murray Hocking-Mark Nichols 15-13, 2-15, 12-15.)
Malaysia bt Thailand 5-0 (Rashid Sidek bt Kitipon Kitikul 15-3, 15-4;
Ong Ewe Hock bt Apichai Teeraratskul 15-12, 15-8; Pang Chen bt
Nattapol Saravan 15-3, 15-4; Soo Beng Kiang-Tan Kim Her bt Siripong
Siripol-Khunakorn Sudhisodhi 2-15, 15-5, 15-13; Choong Tan Fook-Lee
Wan Wah bt Sakrapee Thongsari-Kitipon Kitikul 15-7, 15-17, 15-6).
Uber Cup
Group X
South Korea bt Thailand 5-0 (Bang Soo-hyun bt Somharuethai Jaroensiri
11-4, 11-3; Kim Ji-hyun bt Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn 11-1, 11-0; Lee
Joo-hyun bt Raksita Sookboonmak 11-0, 11-3; Park Soo-hyun-Chung
Jae-hee bt Pornsawan Plungwech-Plernta Boonyarit 15-0, 15-5; Gil
Young-ah-Kim Shin-young bt Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn-Natsaran
Boonvorametee 15-1, 15-3.)
Taiwan bt Australia 3-2 (Chan Ya-ling bt Song Yang 8-11, 5-11; Huang
Chia-chi lost to Lisa Bryant Campbell 8-11, 5-11; Jeng Shwu-zen bt
Kellie Lucas 11-4, 11-4; Lee Ming-hwa-Kao Hsin-lee bt Rhonda
Cator-Amanda Hardy 15-4, 15-6; Tsai Huz-min-Shyu Yu-ling lost to Lisa
Bryant Campbell-Song Yang 15-5, 7-15, 13-15.)
Group Y
New Zealand bt Malaysia 3-2 (Rhona Robertson bt Chan Chia Fong 11-1,
12-9; Julie Still bt Geevien Saha 11-8, 11-1; Amanda Carter lost to
Lee Winnie 11-12, 11-8, 11-9; Rhona Robertson-Tammy Jenkins bt Kuak
Sieok Choon-Norashikin Amin 15-6, 15-4; Julie Still-Megan Heaney lost
to Lim Pek Siah-Law Pei Pei 15-5, 15-12.)
China bt Japan 5-0 (Ye Zhaoying bt Hisako Mizui 11-6, 11-4; Han Jingna
bt Yasuko Mizui 11-5, 7-11, 11-9; Zhang Ning bt Takako Ida 11-6,
10-12, 11-2; Ge Fei-Gu Jun bt Tomomi Matsuo-Masako Sakamoto 15-4,
15-1; Chen Ying-Peng Xingyong bt Aiko Miyamura-Akiko Miyamura 15-8,
15-7.)
European qualifier
Thomas Cup
Group W: Denmark 5 Scotland 0; Austria 5 Bulgaria 0.
Group X: Finland 4 Poland 1; England 5 India 0; Poland 3 India 2;
England 3 Finland 2.
Group Y: Holland 4 Belarus 1; Germany 4 Russia 1; Germany 5 Belarus 0;
Holland 4 Russia 1.
Group Z: Sweden 4 Canada 1; Norway 4 Switzerland 1.
Uber Cup
Group W: Denmark 5 Wales 0; India 3 Scotland 2; India 3 Wales 2;
Denmark 4 Scotland 1.
Group X: France 3 Bulgaria 2; England 4 Canada 1.
Group Y: Russia 3 Holland 2; Germany 4 Belarus 1.
Group Z: Sweden 4 Ukraine 1; Switzerland 4 Hungary 1; Sweden 5 Hungary
0; Ukraine 4 Switzerland 1.