China Confident of Beating South Korea in Thomas Cup

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, May 14, 2002

China Confident of Beating South Korea in Thomas Cup

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Before the clash against pre-meet favorite South Korea in their last group match, China showed confidence of victory at the Thomas Cup World Team Badminton Championships, Chinese head coach said Tuesday in Guangzhou.

Li Yongbo, national head coach, said: "It will be a hard fight.But we hold a better record against South Korea. We have never lost to them, and so the same in tonight's fight."

Li, former world doubles champion in late 1980s and early 1990,pointed out that the Chinese have never lost to the Koreans even back to his time.

China had two wins over Sweden 5-0 and Denmark 3-2 while South Korea had one win over Sweden 5-0 but an unexpected defeat handed in by the Danes 3-2.

Boasted the higher chance than ever before of winning the Thomas Cup, the Koreans were proud of their world top doubles Kim Dong Moon/Ha Tae Kwan and Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Yong Sung and in-form singles Lee Hyun II.

Li admitted that the only headache for them is the poor doubles players who lost both to the Danish team while China has a clear advantage in singles who snatch the world top spots in the rankings.

"We have to rely on the singles. The condition of victory is only singles," Li said.

However, Li revealed that they may re-arrange the doubles from their five doubles candidates and strengthen the attack in the battle with South Korea.

"Our doubles players are still eager for victory. We do not give up the doubles," he said.

If China win a clear match over the Koreans 4-1, they will be surely the top team but if they edge the Koreans 3-2, they have to count on the detailed scores of each match with Denmark for the position in Group A.

"I am confident to beat South Korea and advance into the last four," the head coach said.

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