Malaysia and Denmark should advance to the last eight from Group C as they have South Africa for company and national men's doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her said going through as group winners will boost the confidence of the players. Winning the preliminary round will not give any advantage to the teams in the knockout stage as new seedings based on the May 17 world ranking will be used to determine the draw for the knockout stage.
"All we need to do is beat South Africa and confirm our place in the last eight. However, beating Denmark will boost the confidence of the players as the European champions have got a strong team," said Kim Her.
"There is still a chance to for us to meet China in the quarter-finals and we have to be prepared for that possibility.
"Playing in a team event is totally different and anything can happen. We have to clear the first hurdle and we have no pressure in the knockout stage. It will help our cause."
Malaysia's squad are almost confirmed as Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren and Hafiz Hashim will be the first choice singles while Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah are the top two pairs. Kim Her also confirmed that Hoon Thien How has been included in the squad while another player will be selected from a pool consisting of Tan Wee Kiong, Teo Kok Siang, Mak Hee Chun, Fairuzizuan Tazari and Zakry Latif.
Chong Wei Feng, Arif Latif and Chan Kwong Beng are involved in a tussle to secure the reserve singles slot.
Favourites China are in Group A with Indonesia who have used the just concluded Axiata Cup to get quality warm-up before the Thomas Cup final rounds.
The groupings:
Thomas Cup
Group A: China, Indonesia, England; Group B: Japan, Russia, New Zealand; Group C: Denmark, Malaysia, South Africa; Group D: South Korea, Germany, United States.
Uber Cup
Group A: China, Indonesia, South Africa; Group B: Taiwan, Thailand, Netherlands; Group C: South Korea, Germany, Australia; Group D: Japan, Denmark, United States.
Courtesy of New Straits Times
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