NEWS : Lee Hyun II Key to Victory in Thomas Cup, South Korea Coach Says

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    Lee Hyun II Key to Victory in Thomas Cup, South Korea Coach Says

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    Xinhuanet 2002-05-14 15:47:39

    GUANGZHOU, South China, May 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Looking for their
    first ever Thomas Cup, South Korea laid their winning hopes with
    leading singles player Lee Hyun II, the Korean head coach said
    here Tuesday before their last group match against China later in
    the evening at the prestigious World Team Badminton Championship.
    Kim Jong Soo said: "We need a berth in the semi-finals first
    and all of our chances lean on Lee Hyun II."
    Lee, newly-reigned All-Japan Open men's singles champion, was
    stunned by European Championships runner-up Kenneth Jonasson 7-5,
    7-0, 4-7, 6-8, 7-3 and led to a 3-2 unexpected upset to his team.
    Kim explained that Lee's defeat to the Danes was because of his
    poor form.
    "Lee has been in a low tide. If he can give us a good start
    tonight, our chance of entering the last four is increased," the
    Korean coach said. "He is the key to open the door of the semis
    for us."
    Kim Dong Moon/Ha Tae Kwan, former world doubles champion, and
    teammates Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung, had played the reliable
    roles in their previous two matches against Denmark and Sweden.
    "We are one hundred percent confident that our doubles can
    crack the Chinese rivals. It will be perfect if any of our three
    singles can win a match," Kim said.
    South Korea needs a 4-1 victory over the hosts to reach the
    semi-finals while a 3-2 narrow win can lead to a three-countries
    panic, including Denmark, China and themselves, by counting on
    their detailed scores of three group matches.
    If they loss 2-3 to China, they will step out of the
    competition for a third place in Group A. Only top two teams from
    each group can enter the last four.
     

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