The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : China starts as favourite

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Monday, Jun 11, 2007
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Sport - Badminton

China starts as favourite

GLASGOW: Five-time champion China will defend its title as the clear favourite at the 10th Sudirman Cup. China, which beat three-time winner South Korea in the 1997 final at this Scotstoun International Sports Arena, plays Thailand on Monday, England on Tuesday and Malaysia on Thursday.

Coach Li Yongbo analysed China's rivals in a news conference on Saturday alongside world men's singles champion Lin Dan.

``South Korea's overall strength is decreasing,'' Li said. ``Their traditional strength was mixed doubles, but not so much since their best pair (Kim Dong-moon and Ra Kyung-min) retired.

``The situation is quite similar to 10 years ago here. But the other teams have improved, especially the Malaysians. Their women are better, especially in singles and mixed doubles.''

Too old

Li dismissed second-seeded Denmark as ``too old,'' while England, despite having world mixed champions Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms and men's doubles silver medallists Anthony Clark and Robert Blair, did not rate a mention.

``Indonesia, South Korea and Denmark are a similar standard,'' Li said. ``Indonesia are still very strong in men's singles, doubles and mixed — even their women's singles has improved — but they are not yet strong enough.'' — AP

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