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