Cai Yun-Haifeng plan doubles ambush
News 4:52 PM
CHINA will be out to hit where it hurts the most by not allowing Indonesia to win a point in the doubles.
And seasoned campaigners and former world champions Cai Yun (pic) and Fu Haifeng are ready to accomplish the task.
China will take on 13-time champions Indonesia in the final today and the defending champions are the favourites to win the Thomas Cup for a fourth consecutive time.
The Chinese team, led by Lin Dan, can ride on the strength of the singles players to make China the champions for the eighth time since they made their entry in the series in 1982. And the main goal of their team today is to break the Indonesian invincibility in the doubles.
Cai Yun-Haifeng are expected to take on Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan in the first doubles match. And from the way they demolished Malaysia’s world No. 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the semi-finals on Friday, an interesting match is on the cards.
The 30-year-old Cai Yun, who almost gave up the sport after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is all fired up to complete his Finals campaign in Malaysia without dropping a match.
”Yes, there was one stage in my career when I wanted to give up the sport but I realised that I still enjoy playing the game. I am 30 years old but I am still able to play good badminton,” said Cai Yun.
“I will do my best to maintain my standard with Haifeng. Both of us are planning to go strong until the next Olympics (in London 2012). For now, my focus is to give my best in the Thomas Cup final against Indonesia.”
Haifeng said that China were out to maintain their reputation of being formidable challengers for team honours.
“Our team spirit is strong and we do well in team competitions. This is a tradition in China that all of us go all out to keep,” he said.
China are expected to field Guo Zhengdong-Xu Chen for the second doubles match while Indonesia may use the services of old-timer Nova Widianto again. Nova can team up with any of the other doubles players – Mohd Ahsan, Hendra Gunawan and Alven Yulianto — in the team.
For the singles line-up, besides Lin Dan, China can choose from Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai and Chen Long. The Indonesian singles cast has Taufik Hidayat, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Simon Santoso and Dyonisius Hayom Rumbaka.
China will take on 13-time champions Indonesia in the final today and the defending champions are the favourites to win the Thomas Cup for a fourth consecutive time.
The Chinese team, led by Lin Dan, can ride on the strength of the singles players to make China the champions for the eighth time since they made their entry in the series in 1982. And the main goal of their team today is to break the Indonesian invincibility in the doubles.
Cai Yun-Haifeng are expected to take on Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan in the first doubles match. And from the way they demolished Malaysia’s world No. 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the semi-finals on Friday, an interesting match is on the cards.
The 30-year-old Cai Yun, who almost gave up the sport after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is all fired up to complete his Finals campaign in Malaysia without dropping a match.
”Yes, there was one stage in my career when I wanted to give up the sport but I realised that I still enjoy playing the game. I am 30 years old but I am still able to play good badminton,” said Cai Yun.
“I will do my best to maintain my standard with Haifeng. Both of us are planning to go strong until the next Olympics (in London 2012). For now, my focus is to give my best in the Thomas Cup final against Indonesia.”
Haifeng said that China were out to maintain their reputation of being formidable challengers for team honours.
“Our team spirit is strong and we do well in team competitions. This is a tradition in China that all of us go all out to keep,” he said.
China are expected to field Guo Zhengdong-Xu Chen for the second doubles match while Indonesia may use the services of old-timer Nova Widianto again. Nova can team up with any of the other doubles players – Mohd Ahsan, Hendra Gunawan and Alven Yulianto — in the team.
For the singles line-up, besides Lin Dan, China can choose from Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai and Chen Long. The Indonesian singles cast has Taufik Hidayat, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Simon Santoso and Dyonisius Hayom Rumbaka.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 4:52 PM.
Filed under
