PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have every reason to be pleased after receiving a favourable draw for the Thomas Cup Finals from May 15-22.
In Monday’s draw at the Finals venue in China’s Kunshan, 2014 runners-up Malaysia have South Korea, England and Germany for company in Group C.
Defending champions Japan are in Group A with top seeds China, France and debutants Mexico.
Group B consists of Indonesia, India, Thailand and Hong Kong while second seeds Denmark head Group D together with Taiwan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Only the top two teams from the four groups qualify for the quarter-finals.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost was pleased with the draw.
“We should be able to overcome Germany and England. We have a chance to top the group and it will be a good fight with the Koreans in the deciding game,” said the Dane.
The Malaysian women’s team, however, have been handed a daunting task. They are in Group A with title-holders China, European champions Denmark and Spain.
“It’s a tough group, but we do have a fighting chance against Denmark and Spain. There is a possibility of getting through to the quarter-finals,” said Frost.
South Korea head Group B with Taiwan, Mauritius and the United States while Group C is made up of Thailand, Indonesia, Bulgaria and Hong Kong.
Second seeds Japan are in Group D with India, Australia and Germany.
THE GROUPINGS
THOMAS CUP
Group A: China, Japan, France, Mexico.
Group B: Indonesia, India, Thailand, Hong Kong.
Group C: South Korea, Malaysia, England, Germany.
Group D: Denmark, Taiwan, New Zealand, South Africa.
UBER CUP
Group A: China, Denmark, Spain, Malaysia.
Group B: South Korea, Taiwan, Mauritius, United States.
Group C: Thailand, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Hong Kong.
Group D: Japan, India, Australia, Germany.
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