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Body blow for Malaysia

Korean hurdle may prove insurmountable in Thomas Cup

Thomas Cup
Thomas Cup

MALAYSIA'S hopes of making the Thomas Cup final round received a blow after being drawn in the same group with second seeds South Korea for the qualifying tournament in Macau on Feb 13-19.

Malaysia should beat Hong Kong  but must also overcome South Korea in Group B in order to receive an easier quarter-final clash, probably against India.

Defeat to South Korea will  most likely pit Malaysia against Indonesia in the last eight and  defeat will see them fighting for the sole slot in a four-team round robin playoff.

South Korea will rely on their doubles where Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae and Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong have a clear edge over Malaysia's Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah.

Malaysia should secure a point in the singles through Lee Chong Wei but the Koreans will fancy their chances in the second and third singles through Park Sung Hwan and Shon Wan Ho.

National singles coach Rashid Sidek said  Korea have the edge in the group match and Malaysia must focus against Indonesia in the last eight and secure a spot in the final round in Wuhan in May.

"On paper, South Korea are very strong and this due to their strength in the doubles. Both pairs have beaten our pairs regularly and will be confident while it is impossible to win three singles against them," said Rashid.

"It will be good if we can beat South Korea as we will have an easier quarter-final clash but we cannot lose hope if we lose.

"Indonesia can be beaten  as their players are not consistent and we have a chance there.

"I don't want think about the round robin playoff at all as that will put us under tremendous pressure. Four teams will be fighting for one slot  and we would have to beat all our probable opponents Taiwan, Thailand and India."

National doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her said they will try to steal a point in the doubles against South Korea in order to secure an upset and make life easy for Malaysia.

Malaysia will play Hong Kong on Feb 14 and take on South Korea the next day while the quarter-finals will be held on Feb 16.

The Uber Cup squad face an uphill task of qualifying for the last eight as they are in Group A with China and India, with the top two qualifying for the last eight.

Read more: NST

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