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SUHANDINATA CUP - Perfect start for China, Malaysia

Posted by Lucas Liau News 12:28 PM

Top seeds China and hosts Malaysia got off to a perfect start while Denmark came close to pulling of an upset against Hong Kong on the opening day of the Suhandinata Cup at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium in Kedah, Malaysia.

The YONEX-SUNRISE BWF World Junior Championships is divided into two parts, the team event which is known as the Suhandinata Cup and individual events for the Bimantara Cups. The championships end on 1 Nov.

Malaysia, the No 2 seeds, are seeking to dethrone China as the premier junior team in the world, a feat which team manager How Kim Tho firmly believes is a realistic target. China has won the team title five out of the six times contested with South Korea the only other nation to win the title in 2006.

“The results today (Friday) were expected but we want to build on this momentum,” said Kim Tho.

“China is the team to beat but I firmly believe they can be beaten. We did it during the Asian Junior Championships, and I feel we can do it again here in Alor Setar.

“With the home crowd cheering us on, it is a realistic target.”

Malaysia started the day with a win but did not even have to lift their racquets when they received a walkover from Cambodia in Group Z.

In the evening session, Malaysia ran out 4-1 winners over Singapore and will take on France and Japan next (Saturday).

The 22 teams will be divided into four groups W, X, Y and Z. However, for groups X and Y, it is further divided to two sub-groups each of three teams in each sub-group. Group W and Z will have five teams each.

Not to be outdone, China underlined their seriousness when they demolished Macau and New Zealand with identical scores of 5-0 in their Group W ties.

As the No 1 and 2 seeds, China and Malaysia can only meet in the final.

New Zealand coach A. Thanabalan, however, was satisfied with the performance of his charges.

“Despite the uphill task, the players showed plenty of fighting spirit and resistance and I am pleased with their performance,” said Thanabalan.

“Tomorrow we have two important ties coming up against Russia and Macau and we have to concentrate our efforts on winning these.” In an earlier tie, New Zealand were beaten 5-0 by Indonesia.

In Group X, sub-group X2, Denmark whitewashed Sri Lanka 5-0 but was edged 3-2 by Hong Kong in an evening tie.

Thailand and India, the 3-4^th seeds, also registered comfortable wins against their respective opponents. Thailand beat Vietnam 4-1 and Germany 5-0 while India beat Philippines 3-2 and Canada 4-1.

Results: Group W: China 5 Macau 0, China 5 New Zealand 0, Indonesia 5 New Zealand 0, Indonesia 5 Russia 0, Russia 5 Macau 0.

Group X: Sub-Group X1: Thailand 4 Vietnam 1, Thailand 5 Germany 0, Vietnam 4 Germany 1; Sub-Group X2: Hong Kong 5 Sri Lanka 0, Hong Kong 3 Denmark 2, Denmark 5 Sri Lanka 0.

Group Y: Sub-Group Y1: India 3 Philippines 2, India 4 Canada 1, Philippines 4 Canada 1; Sub-GroupY2: Chinese Taipei 5 Australia 0, England 5 Australia 0, Chinese Taipei 3 England 2.