China in tough group for Thomas Cup prelims<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur<\/p>\n
Former champion China was placed in a tough group including
\nstrong challenger Thailand at the draw for badminton's men's
\nThomas Cup Preliminaries (Asian Zone) in Kuala Lumpur on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
China was drawn with Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam in Group D
\nfor the Feb. 16-22 qualifiers here, with only one team from the
\ngroup getting automatic qualification to the May finals in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
The four group champions will move on to the knockout stages
\nto determine the first to fourth placing with the third-ranked
\nteam in each group playing to decide the fifth berth available
\nfor the zone.<\/p>\n
The Chinese will find the going tough against Thailand, who
\nboast of two strong doubles combinations in Pramote Teerawiwatana
\nand Tesana Pansisvas, and Sudket Prapakamol and Patapol
\nNgernsrisuk.<\/p>\n
South Korea, Malaysia and Japan should have no problem booking
\ntheir berths as they have been placed with relatively weaker
\nteams.<\/p>\n
South Korea and will prove to be a handful for India, Iran and
\nMacau in Group A.<\/p>\n
Likewise hosts Malaysia should have little problems disposing
\nof the challenges posed by Hong Kong and Sri Lanka in Group B.<\/p>\n
With Singapore opting not to field naturalized citizens, Japan
\ntoo will have it easy in Group C, which also features Pakistan.<\/p>\n
In the women's Uber Cup, South Korea and Japan should have no
\nproblems making the last four and they will most likely be joined
\nby Hong Kong and Taiwan.<\/p>\n
The top three teams in the Uber Cup tournament will qualify
\nfor the finals in Indonesia scheduled for May 16-22.<\/p>\n
Thomas Cup grouping
\nGroup A
\nSouth Korea, India, Iran, Macau<\/p>\n
Group B
\nMalaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka<\/p>\n
Group C
\nJapan, Singapore, Pakistan<\/p>\n
Group D
\nChina, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam<\/p>\n
Uber Cup grouping
\nGroup A
\nJapan, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Macau<\/p>\n
Group B
\nSouth Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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