NEWS : Malaysia starts off as the underdogs

Malaysia starts off as the underdogs

Malaysia starts off as the underdogs

Star Online

KUALA LUMPUR: Singles coach Indra Gunawan has downgraded Malaysia’s chance of winning the Thomas Cup. And he gave equal chances to defending champions Indonesia, China and South Korea to win the championships, which begin in Guangzhou on Thursday.
“There are no clear favourites. The four Asian teams – China, Indonesia, South Korea and Malaysia – certainly have the chance,” said Indra, who left with the team for Guangzhou yesterday.

“I have made assessments and analysis on all the eight teams in the Finals and South Korea, Indonesia and China have equal chances to win the title. But none hold the edge over the other. I would rate Malaysia only after these three teams.”

The chances of Malaysia regaining the Cup they last won in 1992 are realistic but slim. Indonesia will be going for a record fifth consecutive title; South Korea are gunning for their first-ever triumph; and China aim to become only the second team after Indonesia to win a double (the Thomas Cup and women’s Uber Cup) on home ground. The Indonesians did it in 1994 in Jakarta.

Malaysia and Indonesia are in Group B with Thailand and Germany. Group A has China, South Korea, Denmark and Sweden.

Indra added that he had to break Malaysia away from the first pack of probable winners because they were not assured of a point in any of the five matches in ties against Indonesia, China and South Korea.

“South Korea look promising to win a point through their second doubles (Kim Dong-moon-Ha Tae-kwon) while Indonesia are sure bets in the first doubles (Candra Wijaya-Sigit Budiarto),” said Indra, who is a gformer Indonesian coach.

“China are good in all the singles and their third singles looks to be the sure winner (Lin Dan, Chen Hong or Luo Yigang). Youngster Lin Dan is the most dangerous of the trio.

“As for Malaysia, I cannot pick a sure win match. It is a 50-50 from Wong Choong Hann to Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng. Malaysia can make the semi-finals but fro this stage, we have to work on the right strategy and have the players to be mentally well-prepared to overcome their opponents.”

Indra said that South Korea, whose singles players had showed tremendous improvement, especially their number one Lee Hyun-il, could return home heart-broken again.

“South Korea looks to be the favourites and their team are looking confident. But they had failed when expectations are high. At the 2000 Sydney Games, the men’s doubles and mixed doubles, were the heavy favourites but they failed to win gold medals,” said Indra.

On Indonesia, Indra said that the 12-time champions should not be under-estimated even though their team appeared less potent than two years ago.

“Their singles look a little shaken up. But they still have trump cards in their doubles players.

Having played for them and coached them before, I know very well that the players do not let personal problems get in the way in Thomas Cup Finals,” he said.

“Unlike Indonesia, China have a strong singles line-up. But for the last decade, China seemed to have trouble winning all three singles.

The trend has been for the Thomas Cup champions to win points through the singles and doubles. Unfortu-nately, China do not have strong doubles pairs.”

The last time China won the Cup was in Tokyo in 1990.

They defeated Malaysia 4-1 in the final.