I suspect after yesterday's defeat to INA, JPN "played" to finish 3rd, ensuring an easier passage. The loser of INA v NED has CHn in its path. So that was a BIG DEAL... for JPN
Because TH is unpredictable. Perhaps he'd never reach his peak form again, but to write him off just because of his loss yesterday is lame. How many times have he lost to the unknown players and bounce back the next week? Just sayin'.
Hmmm, TH record against peter gade and kenneth J. are quite good. As i have said in another thread, LD too has lost to low seeded players before, PSH, susilo, etc
Last yr when he lost to the Viet in Philippines Open, everyone (including Misbun and YKH) was on their toes when Taufik took park in World Championship in JB the following week. Even LCW felt that Taufik would bounce back strongly after failing in Phili... Oh well... Oh well... we all knew the result (Taufik was only his shadow and lost tamely in the WC... well... yeah... taufik will bounce back "again" and beat BCL and Gade... well oh well...
it's still early days, the real competition has yet to begin. we'll see the true strength of all the teams once the knock-out stage comes around.