KUALA LUMPUR, 8 February 2004 — Champions China were placed in a tough group including strong challengers Thailand at the draw for badminton’s men’s Thomas Cup Preliminaries (Asian Zone) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
China was drawn with Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam in Group D for the Feb. 16-22 qualifiers here, with only one team from the group getting automatic qualification to the May finals in Jakarta.
The four group champions will move on to the knockout stages to determine the first to fourth placing with the third-ranked team in each group playing to decide the fifth berth available for the zone.
The Chinese will find the going tough against Thailand, who boast of two strong doubles combinations in Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisvas, and Sudket Prapakamol and Patapol Ngernsrisuk.
South Korea, Malaysia and Japan should have no problem booking their berths as they have been placed with relatively weaker teams.
South Korea will prove to be a handful for India, Iran and Macau in Group A.
Likewise hosts Malaysia should have little problems disposing of the challenges posed by Hong Kong and Sri Lanka in Group B.
With Singapore opting not to field naturalized citizens, Japan too will have it easy in Group C, which also features Pakistan.
