ants
02-16-2004, 05:12 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles chief coach Yap Kim Hock’s hope to catch a glimpse of the top South Korean doubles pairs in action in the Thomas Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium ended in disappointment yesterday.
The Koreans kept their top two pairs – Lee Dong-soo-Yoo Yong-sung and Kim Dong-moon-Ha Tae-kwon – under wraps in their opening Group A tie against Macau.
Instead, they fielded world number four Lee Hyun-il in a doubles partnership with another singles player, Shon Seung-mo. And Yim Bang-eun, who forms a third ranked doubles combination of the team with Kim Yong-hyun, played the third singles.
Against Macau, the Koreans had the luxury of fielding a makeshift team. They were still good enough to win 5-0 and in a quick time of 75 minutes.
The Koreans, who are expected to win Group A, are certainly reserving their best for a projected semi-final tie against Malaysia. Their other rivals are India and Iran. Malaysia are expected to top Group B.
The winners of the four group preliminaries qualify for the Finals, which will be played in Jakarta in May. The fifth berth will be decided in playoffs among the group runners-up.
“They took Macau lightly but I am sure the Koreans are serious in wanting to win the Asian Zone qualifiers this time. They are all ready for the semi-finals. This is a sign that they are determined to get the better of Malaysia,” said Kim Hock.
“Their top doubles pairs (Dong-soo-Yong-sung and Dong-moon-Tae-kwon) were not here yesterday. They were probably training at the Juara Stadium while their teammates were having fun here.”
Kim Hock, however, said that Malaysia might not be in a position to take their opening tie against Sri Lanka lightly tomorrow before they play against Hong Kong on Thursday.
“Some of our players are in the chase for Olympic qualifying points and every match is important for them. Unlike South Korea, we do not have much option. We may have to field our best players. For now, Hong Kong are a threat to us,” he said.
Malaysia have three pairs in their team – Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Gan Teik Chai-Koo Kien Keat and Chang Kim Wai-Chew Choon Eng.
The singles line-up comprises Wong Choong Hann, Lee Chong Wei, Mohd Roslin Hashim and Kuan Beng Hong.
The Koreans kept their top two pairs – Lee Dong-soo-Yoo Yong-sung and Kim Dong-moon-Ha Tae-kwon – under wraps in their opening Group A tie against Macau.
Instead, they fielded world number four Lee Hyun-il in a doubles partnership with another singles player, Shon Seung-mo. And Yim Bang-eun, who forms a third ranked doubles combination of the team with Kim Yong-hyun, played the third singles.
Against Macau, the Koreans had the luxury of fielding a makeshift team. They were still good enough to win 5-0 and in a quick time of 75 minutes.
The Koreans, who are expected to win Group A, are certainly reserving their best for a projected semi-final tie against Malaysia. Their other rivals are India and Iran. Malaysia are expected to top Group B.
The winners of the four group preliminaries qualify for the Finals, which will be played in Jakarta in May. The fifth berth will be decided in playoffs among the group runners-up.
“They took Macau lightly but I am sure the Koreans are serious in wanting to win the Asian Zone qualifiers this time. They are all ready for the semi-finals. This is a sign that they are determined to get the better of Malaysia,” said Kim Hock.
“Their top doubles pairs (Dong-soo-Yong-sung and Dong-moon-Tae-kwon) were not here yesterday. They were probably training at the Juara Stadium while their teammates were having fun here.”
Kim Hock, however, said that Malaysia might not be in a position to take their opening tie against Sri Lanka lightly tomorrow before they play against Hong Kong on Thursday.
“Some of our players are in the chase for Olympic qualifying points and every match is important for them. Unlike South Korea, we do not have much option. We may have to field our best players. For now, Hong Kong are a threat to us,” he said.
Malaysia have three pairs in their team – Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Gan Teik Chai-Koo Kien Keat and Chang Kim Wai-Chew Choon Eng.
The singles line-up comprises Wong Choong Hann, Lee Chong Wei, Mohd Roslin Hashim and Kuan Beng Hong.