Chinese, Danes poised for cup history
Novan Iman Santosa and Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta
Sunday's Thomas Cup final is likely to provide yet another entertaining encounter when favorite China will be challenged by Europe's best team Denmark.
Whichever team wins the encounter will be crowned the new champion after Indonesia, which had held the trophy since 1994, crashed out in the semifinals on Friday.
It would be China's first in 14 years after it last won the coveted trophy in 1990 by beating Malaysia 4-1 in the final in Tokyo.
For Denmark, it would make it the first non-Asian country to ever win the biennial men's team badminton championship since it was contested in 1949.
After securing the final berth with a 3-2 win over Indonesia, Denmark was realistic about its chances against China, which has not lost a single game en route to the final.
"We will be realistic in facing strong and favorite China. But we will give them pressure, and hopefully we can grab the victory," said Denmark's team manager Flemming Wiberg.
Denmark's ace Peter Gade, who was beaten by Sony Dwi Kuncoro on Friday, expressed his optimism in the game against China.
"We have never won the Thomas Cup. I hope we can make history," he said.
Denmark has failed in each of its six final matches, the last being in Hong Kong in 1996 when it was drubbed 5-0 by Indonesia.
Against China, and its lineup featuring the world's best singles shuttlers Lin Dan, Chen Hong, Bao Chunlai and Xia Xuanze, the Danish team of Peter Gade, Kenneth Jonassen, Anders Boesen and former world champion Peter Rasmussen will face a formidable task.
Lin has won four over Gade in their five matches. Gade also trailed 1-2 against Bao Chunlai, but the Dane had a commanding head-to-head record over Chen at 6-1.
In general, the Chinese have better head-to-head records over the Danes.
However, the Danish team could rely on doubles world champions Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen, and pair Jens Eriksen and Martin Lundgaard Hansen, ranked fifth in the world.
They boast a better record over number two Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun and number six Sang Yang and Zheng Bo.