The main reason WC won the WS in IO because of assistance of ZM in training, so did WMC upgrade her level against Chinese players during recent tournaments. LYB hates ZM.
THA and ENG are not bad, cannot take your eyes off them. Against MAS, ENG takes XD, has an even chance in WD (playing close to home gives them advantage), but has to steal from either MD or WS. THA has strength in XD and WD is competitive (if Saralee plays both matches). And Boonsak can spring a surprise in MS. Tactically speaking, all these Div 1 teams can probably beat each other, except CHN (too strong).
Judging from the 4 country WD will be: The strongest - the weakest: China- England- Malaysia and Thailand (tie) Suprisingly, Englang WD also improved a lot. And they had better chance to win against Mal and Thai WD except China.
Let's face it, no one can win WD against China. Only hope is for China to self-destruct, not likely. But I disagree on the WD strength, I believe ENG, despite their improvements, are not yet on par with MAS or even THA (if it's the pair of Saralee/Sathinee, haven't seen them in a while). Part of the reason is that both players of ENG top pair is also engaged in XD.
Against Thailand: it will be 60-40 to LCW's advantage...so 1 point has to come from MS. The MD is a no-brainer...unless KKK/TBH or the second pair performed disastrously, this point will go to Malaysia. I think Malaysia will concede XD so as to let Wong Pei Tty concentrate on WD. WPT/CEH vs Saralee/Sathinee is again 50-50...but the Malaysian pair has an edge. The key will be WS and Wong Mew Choo definitely holds an edge here. So, at least 3-2 to Malaysia. Against England: The same thing, XD will be forfeited. Malaysia will take 1 point from MS. MD will be tricky as always with Anthony Clark/Robert Blair capable of creating an upset. But, Malaysia has to take this point. WD is also 50-50 as mentioned, with WPT/CEH against Gail Emms/Donna Kellogg. So, Malaysia can sneak into the semi-final with at least another 3-2 win. Against China: Well...Malaysia will definitely field the reserves here to conserve energy. SO, we could well see Malaysia vs Indonesia in the semi-final...a potentially cracking match in store
But in Sudirman Cup, only 1 of them play XD so Donna Kellog can save all her energy for WD. Mean while Malaysia and Thai WD, also had to play XD. Saralee and WPT.
