China Names 14 Players for Thomas & Uber Cup
2006-04-03 15:18:13 Xinhua

The Chinese badminton team has picked 14 players for the coming Thomas and Uber Cup.

The other six berths in the team will be decided after selection games, said Chinese head coach Li Yongbo.

The team, filled with the world's top seeds, is now going through intensive close-door training in southeast China's Fujian province.

Team coaches said they have chosen the venue because the gymnasium here is very similar to Japan's Yoyogi National Gymnasium which will host the Thomas and Uber Cup. The Thomas and Uber Cup will run from April 28 to May 7 in Tokyo. Host Japan and defending champion China have automatic spots in the finals.

how many women players are training at fu zhou now?
wang lin, jiang yan jiao, chen li, wang yi han all included in the intensive training?

Hi

Anyone knows who the 14 players ? Especially which women singles ?
I think Zhang Ning & Xie Xingfang would surely in.
Who else ? Jiang Yanjiao, Zhu Lin ?
thanks

I think most of the players are still in Fuzhou.... till the end of april...

Hmm... WS players? I think Zhang Ning, XXF, Zhu Lin and Wang Lin??? Not 100% sure...

PETALING JAYA: In a surprise move, China have named former world men’s singles champion Xia Xuanze in their team for the defence of the Thomas Cup.

The selection of the team was posted on the official website of the China BA yesterday and chief coach Li Yongbo opted for five singles and five doubles players.
The other four singles players are all ranked higher than Xuanze. They are Lin Dan (world number one), Chen Hong (4th), Bao Chunlai (6th) and Chen Jin (11th).

The return of Xuanze is seen at strengthening the Chinese line-up at third singles. Xuanze was not selected for the last Thomas Cup Finals in Jakarta two years ago.


While the inclusion of Xuanze, who is now ranked 34th in the world, raised eyebrows, the selection of youngster Chen Jin came as no surprise.
The two-time world junior champion proved to be world-class material when he eliminated some top players en route to winning the German Open and China Masters titles this year.

With Lin Dan at first singles, it will be tough for the other contenders of the Cup – Indonesia, Malaysia, Denmark and South Korea – to steal a point from the singles matches.

Yongbo said in statement yesterday that China would bank on the strength of their singles line-up to retain the Cup.

While admitting that Chen Hong and an injury-prone Chunlai had not performed well in team events, he said the presence of the experienced Xuanze would be vital.

With their men’s doubles pairs being the weak link in the team for many Finals, ties between China and the top conntenders would probably go down the wire to the decisive third singles match.

Zheng Bo, a versatile doubles player, has been included to add depth in the doubles department.

Besides Zheng Bo, the others named are world number three Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and the 15th ranked Guo Zhengbo-Xie Zhongbo.

China also named their Uber Cup squad yesterday. The team have four singles players – Zhang Ning, Xie Xingfang, Jiang Yanjiao, Lu Lan. The three pairs in the team are Gao Ling-Huang Sui, Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen and Du Jing-Yu Yang.

The Chinese women’s team are expected to retain the Uber Cup without much difficulty.
The record books show China having won the Thomas Cup five times and the Uber Cup nine times.

source: the star 13april

A bit surprising me that Wang Lin, Zhang Dan / Zhang Yawen are not selected yet. Of course, things might still change in the last min. :rolleyes:

CHN has announced their squad for forthcoming Japan TUC-06 earlier than its contender. CHN looks like rely its hope on singles player, obviously difficult to steal point from doubles player (nightmare for CHN if one of its singles player get lose, CHN must be forget its big ambition to retain TC for 6x. And UC, CHN is definitely no problem to continue domination in woman team (book record 10 times). How about another squad : MAS-DEN-KOR? Anyone knows some info? For INA's Thomas Team I guess PBSI will send : TH-Sony-Simon-Markus for singles and Three pairs doubles : Candra/Sigit-Alven/Luluk-Markis/Hendra (but it is just a prediction). However, PBSI will announce the squad officially in media (maybe next week). Meanwhile, INA's contingent will leave JKT to JPN on next 24th April-06. Actually, When the deadline time for entry-by-name for TUC-06 participants that required by IBF?

The Chinese Thomas/Uber Squad:

Men:
Lin Dan, Chen Hong, Bao Chunlai, Chen Jin, Xia Xuanze
Cai Yun, Fu Haifeng, Xie Zhongbo, Guo Zhendong, Zheng Bo

Women:
Zhang Ning, Xie Xingfang, Lu Lan, Jiang Yanjiao
Gao Ling, Huang Sui, Yang Wei, Zhang Jiewen, Du Jing, Yu Yang

PETALING JAYA: In a surprise move, China have named former world men’s singles champion Xia Xuanze in their team for the defence of the Thomas Cup.

The return of Xuanze is seen at strengthening the Chinese line-up at third singles. Xuanze was not selected for the last Thomas Cup Finals in Jakarta two years ago.

source: the star 13april

This paper like to made easy mistakes.

Of course Xia Xuan Ze play in Thomas Cup 2004 in Jakarta. Check the winning pic of China Thomas team 2004 and you can see XXZ face there.

So its not a suprise at all cause I already predict that LYB will pick XXZ as the fifth singles.

The most suprise ones came from the Uber team.

This paper like to made easy mistakes.

Of course Xia Xuan Ze play in Thomas Cup 2004 in Jakarta. Check the winning pic of China Thomas team 2004 and you can see XXZ face there.



Yeah, Xia was there. Actually, he was in in the final line up (3rd MS). Since CHN won 3:1, he did not get a chance to actually play. ;)

CHN looks like rely its hope on singles player, obviously difficult to steal point from doubles player (nightmare for CHN if one of its singles player get lose, CHN must be forget its big ambition to retain TC for 6x.

Well, CHN has a tradition to rely on it's MS players to get most of the points. However, Cai/Fu can take down any MD pairs, if they play well. Even if one of their MS loses, don't count CHN out just like several years ago. Cai/Fu will have a good fight against any elite pairs. Guo/Xie can also be the black horse with their fighting spirit. ;)

CHN has announced their squad for forthcoming Japan TUC-06 earlier than its contender. CHN looks like rely its hope on singles player, obviously difficult to steal point from doubles player (nightmare for CHN if one of its singles player get lose, CHN must be forget its big ambition to retain TC for 6x. And UC, CHN is definitely no problem to continue domination in woman team (book record 10 times). How about another squad : MAS-DEN-KOR? Anyone knows some info? For INA's Thomas Team I guess PBSI will send : TH-Sony-Simon-Markus for singles and Three pairs doubles : Candra/Sigit-Alven/Luluk-Markis/Hendra (but it is just a prediction). However, PBSI will announce the squad officially in media (maybe next week). Meanwhile, INA's contingent will leave JKT to JPN on next 24th April-06. Actually, When the deadline time for entry-by-name for TUC-06 participants that required by IBF?

There are only 2 teams that can match with Cai/Fu actually, and that is the Danes and Indos. But Indos MS is a disaster if TH refuse to play. It looks like that Denmark is the only team that stand a chance under China's domination.

There are only 2 teams that can match with Cai/Fu actually, and that is the Danes and Indos.

Care to offer a reason. You don't see any of the MAS pairs troubling them? I think you overestimate Cai/Fu. If the's anyone who should be the measuring stick for MD, it should be the Danes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wong8Egg
There are only 2 teams that can match with Cai/Fu actually, and that is the Danes and Indos.


Care to offer a reason. You don't see any of the MAS pairs troubling them? I think you overestimate Cai/Fu. If the's anyone who should be the measuring stick for MD, it should be the Danes.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

:D Still remember Malaysian younsters Lin/Fairuz beat Cai/Fu easily in England 2006?

PETALING JAYA: In a surprise move, China have named former world men’s singles champion Xia Xuanze in their team for the defence of the Thomas Cup.

..................

The return of Xuanze is seen at strengthening the Chinese line-up at third singles. Xuanze was not selected for the last Thomas Cup Finals in Jakarta two years ago.


While the inclusion of Xuanze, who is now ranked 34th in the world, raised eyebrows, the selection of youngster Chen Jin came as no surprise.
The two-time world junior champion proved to be world-class material when he eliminated some top players en route to winning the German Open and China Masters titles this year.

With Lin Dan at first singles, it will be tough for the other contenders of the Cup – Indonesia, Malaysia, Denmark and South Korea – to steal a point from the singles matches.

Yongbo said in statement yesterday that China would bank on the strength of their singles line-up to retain the Cup.

While admitting that Chen Hong and an injury-prone Chunlai had not performed well in team events, he said the presence of the experienced Xuanze would be vital. .........

Vital indeed especially if they play M'sia. XXZ's inclusion must be to neutralise Wong Choong Han if China meet M'sia.

Vital indeed especially if they play M'sia. XXZ's inclusion must be to neutralise Wong Choong Han if China meet M'sia.

It is quite impossible for XXZ to meet Wong CH because Wong is M'sian second single while XXZ is Chinese 5th single, Xia could only play third single for China whereby Wong can only play second or first single. No way for them to meet each other unless China purposely put XXZ as second single to play Wong CH while at the meantime send one of their doubles players to play third single against Malaysia's Hafiz which it is obviously unlikely for Li Yongbo to make such a crazy decision.:D

The inclusion of XXZ was a miscalculation by the Chinese Team as they initially thought the format of TC 2006 was SSSDD. So the plan was to strengten the singles hoping to finish off their opponents in 3 single matches. However it turned out that the SDSDS applies, and now they are biting their nails for not sending more double players.

The inclusion of XXZ was a miscalculation by the Chinese Team as they initially thought the format of TC 2006 was SSSDD. So the plan was to strengten the singles hoping to finish off their opponents in 3 single matches. However it turned out that the SDSDS applies, and now they are biting their nails for not sending more double players.

I doubt your assumption is true.

1. The format of TC is not released as the last second. I seriously doubt LYB will make such a mistake for "not sure about the tournament format" even at the last moment.

2. The main purpose to insert Xia into the line up serves similar as Zheng Bo. It's more to the mental experience. Xia is known for the rubber match, and always refuse to lose. In case Bao or Chen H is in bad form (mental or physical), or Chen Jin's lack of experience (1st time in TC), Xia can pick up the slack.

3. Don't under estimate Xia. Sure, he might not in the WC form as he was in 2003. However, he's not playing against LCW, PG or TH. Tell me which nations 3rd MS (usually, fairly weaker and young) wants to face Xia in the decision making match??? Xia might be the 5th best in CHN MS squard, but he still in top 10-20 worldwide (forget about the ranking point), which means he can beat anyone when he's in good physical form.

4. The CHN MD however faces an opposite problem when compare to their much more dominated MS team. A 6th MD player can not seriously threaten other power houses' 2nd MD pair. Therefore, the impact of the 6th MD player will be pretty much useless when compare to the impact Xia (5th MS) can bring to the squard.

they are biting their nails for not sending more double players.
i don't see any threat sang yang can pose to other teams 2nd MD

The format of TC is not released as the last second. I seriously doubt LYB will make such a mistake for "not sure about the tournament format" even at the last moment.
China was still assuming SSSDD would be used in TC, until last minute. They claim IBF shouldn't change the format from SDSDS to SSSDD, and then to SDSDS again, in such short time.

3. Don't under estimate Xia. Sure, he might not in the WC form as he was in 2003. However, he's not playing against LCW, PG or TH. Tell me which nations 3rd MS (usually, fairly weaker and young) wants to face Xia in the decision making match??? Xia might be the 5th best in CHN MS squard, but he still in top 10-20 worldwide (forget about the ranking point), which means he can beat anyone when he's in good physical form.

.

I am agree with you here. After seeing Xia good result this year. (Swiss final 2006 losing to Lee Chong Wei and QF German Open losing to Lin Dan), I had a hunch that LYB will pick XXZ to play third singles.

XXZ record in THomas Cup is pretty good. Never lost or maybe only lost once since he played for China Thomas team since 2000. (For Indonesia, Hendrawan is the best example. He also never or rarely lost in Thomas event even in his worst condition)

The only team that can push XXZ probably Malaysia if they play Hafiz as third singles.

So China banking on their singles to wrap up 3 point. THey also had MD Cai/Fu who had at least 50:50 chance playing against any double. Their weaker link is probably the second MD. And it depend whom they play.

If they play Malay Chong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah or Denmark Jonas/Lars, they had little chance to win. But for other pair its 50:50 specially Zheng Bo play cause he had good experience from Thomas Cup 2004 never lost to any doubles that time.

Remember that in playing team event, the most important is mental strength , confidence with never want to lose attitude and experience.

Remember Chen Hong who lost to Lee Hyun IL in Sudirman Cup? Or Hafiz who at that time is the rising star lost to aging and slower Hendrawan in Thomas 2002? Or Simon Santoso who had a very terrible record in team event?

China was still assuming SSSDD would be used in TC, until last minute. They claim IBF shouldn't change the format from SDSDS to SSSDD, and then to SDSDS again, in such short time.

I see, my bad. Did not follow the format change news daily. :p

Or Hafiz who at that time is the rising star lost to aging and slower Hendrawan in Thomas 2002?

it was roslin...

Their weaker link is probably the second MD. And it depend whom they play.

If they play Malay Chong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah or Denmark Jonas/Lars, they had little chance to win.

Well, we all know their weakest link is 2nd MD, but again, don't under estimate them. Remember 2 yrs ago, when Cai/Fu lost 1st MD in TC final, many of us predict that Xia will need to step up for 3rd MS (as many of us counted CHN 2nd MD Sang/Zheng will lose)? However, what happened? Sang/Zhang wrapped the final, and raised the cup!

Sure, Guo/Xie are young, or even one of them team up with Zheng, they are still weaker than many power house's 2nd MD. However, by the time they are on, mostly CHN already ahead by 2:1. That means, their opponent can NOT lose any more, but CHN still have "bro big mouth" behind them (exactly the same as Zheng described 2 yr ago, regarding to the mental advantage).

Imagine, one side is already the underdog, and has nothing to lose. The other side is do or die, and HAVE to win, in order to just stay alive. Therefore, the 1st situation is a much better condition for players to perform to a superior level.