who will win the Thomas Cup 2004?
- Thread starter kwun
- Start date
Thomas cup this year - as always - has 5 contenders, some of course stronger than others. Here's what I think:
Korea: Never done too well in Thomas cup and I don't expect them to this time around. Too dependent on their two doubles who of late are far from invincible. Also, stealing a point in singles is going to be a big ask... may cause an upset along the way but will not make it past the semis.
Denmark: Another team that promises much but in the end fails when the matters most. Too dependant on the two doubles and Gade winning as Johanssen and Boesen will always start as underdogs against the other big teams. Would be good to see them play Korea somewhere along the line... will have to wait another 2 years for another change at the cup
Malaysia: Potential spoilers but let down by inconsistency. Their week link will be the 2nd doubles as Chan/Chew are not up to the level one would expect them to be at. Everyone seems to be raving about WongCH but I think their trump card has to be Roslin. Remember not to long ago he won every single match of his at 3rd singles?... potential finalist depending on how the draw pans out.
China: As always coming into the final rounds with an abundance of talent in the singles but so often let down by doubles. Are Chai/Fu, Sang/Zeng good enough to deliver a point when it matters? I doubt it. Will have to rely on winning all 3 singles against all other 'big guns' and I just can't seem them keeping an unbeaten singles through out the final... second favourites to the host who have the home court.
Indonesia: Weak like = Simon Santoso at 3rd singles, unpredictable Taufik at 2nd singles. Doubles were in good form at the recent ABC but can they keep it up? Most probably: YES especially at home... my own opinion is that they are slight favouritest over China.
Summary:
CN are the logical favourites but the pressure will get to their singles players and doubles will be unable to rise to the occasion.
MAS have the ability to beat the two favourites (CN, INA) but also lose to the two underdogs (KOR/DEN) and will very much depend on how they play on the day.
Ina have the advantage over CN and MAS but may face more difficulty against DEN/KOR who have strong doubles pairs.
DEN/KOR underdogs and with the luck of the draw could make the final but I can't see them wining it.
A lot depends on match stratagies (eg, Malaysia may lose to Thailand to avoid CN/INA in the q-finals) and who plays who in the semis.
Korea: Never done too well in Thomas cup and I don't expect them to this time around. Too dependent on their two doubles who of late are far from invincible. Also, stealing a point in singles is going to be a big ask... may cause an upset along the way but will not make it past the semis.
Denmark: Another team that promises much but in the end fails when the matters most. Too dependant on the two doubles and Gade winning as Johanssen and Boesen will always start as underdogs against the other big teams. Would be good to see them play Korea somewhere along the line... will have to wait another 2 years for another change at the cup
Malaysia: Potential spoilers but let down by inconsistency. Their week link will be the 2nd doubles as Chan/Chew are not up to the level one would expect them to be at. Everyone seems to be raving about WongCH but I think their trump card has to be Roslin. Remember not to long ago he won every single match of his at 3rd singles?... potential finalist depending on how the draw pans out.
China: As always coming into the final rounds with an abundance of talent in the singles but so often let down by doubles. Are Chai/Fu, Sang/Zeng good enough to deliver a point when it matters? I doubt it. Will have to rely on winning all 3 singles against all other 'big guns' and I just can't seem them keeping an unbeaten singles through out the final... second favourites to the host who have the home court.
Indonesia: Weak like = Simon Santoso at 3rd singles, unpredictable Taufik at 2nd singles. Doubles were in good form at the recent ABC but can they keep it up? Most probably: YES especially at home... my own opinion is that they are slight favouritest over China.
Summary:
CN are the logical favourites but the pressure will get to their singles players and doubles will be unable to rise to the occasion.
MAS have the ability to beat the two favourites (CN, INA) but also lose to the two underdogs (KOR/DEN) and will very much depend on how they play on the day.
Ina have the advantage over CN and MAS but may face more difficulty against DEN/KOR who have strong doubles pairs.
DEN/KOR underdogs and with the luck of the draw could make the final but I can't see them wining it.
A lot depends on match stratagies (eg, Malaysia may lose to Thailand to avoid CN/INA in the q-finals) and who plays who in the semis.
Loh
Regular Member
Hi nauknip,nauknip said:
So you were there after all, just as I was!
Hope you've enyoyed yourself.When Sony and Taufik changed their minds and decided to compete, I just had to go. And it was a last minute decision, in part prompted by Ronald's appearance in the QF. But what a disaster it became when Ronald could not even produce half of his form against Bao during the Japan Open and he lost meekly to his perennial foe, Shon of Korea, who was most effective with his attacking play. Ronald was slow and allowed Shon to dominate the proceedings. I was so helpless myself at not being able to cheer for Ronald and remained silent throughout, virtually staring into blank space!
This time round I stayed in the Bt Bintang area as suggested by so many M'sian BFers and got to know Jln Alor better, thanks to taneepak. True enough I was 'accosted' by strangers willing to 'arrange' a good time. But Jln Alor is also a hawker food paradise, although I wasn't able to see any of the foreign players on the two evenings I was there.
As expected the badminton players were housed in the Federal Hotel at Bt Bintang, quite a handsome place in the inside as I think it was renovated perhaps not too long ago. The rates here are moderately high at about RM190 for a single room, but those at the Royal Bintang further down the road were slightly higher at about RM200. However, there were cheaper hotels for around RM50-80 per night and the so-called budget hotels as well. Bt Bintang is alive both day and night and you can hitch a free ride on the players' bus after the matches each night. I did this for two nights and was most grateful during one when it rained heavily.
This time around I got to visit lots more places just by walking and using the LRT (Light Rail Transport). However, during the day, the sun was merciless and I was soaking wet in my own perspiration. The more interesting places include the adjacent roads around Bt Bintang that cover also Times Square; Pudu Raya, Masjid Jamek/Pasar Seni, the Central Market at Jln Hang Kasturi and Jalan Petaling, which is reminiscent of Singapore's old Chinatown and Change Alley located not too far from the old but majestic KTM railway station, where I subsequently took a NICE midnight coach back to Singapore -a good 5-hour ride home! The earlier times were all taken up. And with hardly an hour's sleep in my familiar home surroundings before I set off once again for the office on Black Monday!
Loh said:
Thanks jkusmanto for your offer of a drink all the way from Belgium! I don't think you can make it to Jakarta for the TC, otherwise I'll join you.
.....
Indonesia's trump cards are in their first two singles and any two doubles and as I have said they are peaking at the right time and in 'devastating' form! The other point that Indonesia can rely on is none other than their famous spectators and fans support. So Indonesia may even be able to make a clean sweep. A 4-1 winning outcome is a fair possibility. A 3-2 prediction is entirely achievable!
No. Loh. I can't make it this time.
Maybe some other time, another tournament. In Europe maybe
? Who knows ?I am very please to see Indo back again to the top. Especially in single.
I hope that Indo can win and the players will not disappoint their public. Otherwise........ you know what will happen if Indo loses in Jakarta.
If we look at the Indo's performance in KL. The chance is bigger to hold TC for 2 years ahead.
ant0niu588
Regular Member
I thnk Indonesia will win although china teams are stronger. Playing at home have lots of advantages to opponents who have weak mental. If they are affected then indo will win. If not, then i think china will win. It all depends on their mental power and the crowd. hope indonesia will keep the title for the 6th time in a row
wilfredlgf
Regular Member
I am downplaying Korea now. With Kim's regular partner out, they have lost 1/2 a strong doubles. Their almost certain 1 pts are now halved, with Lee/Yoo carrying the torch. Unless Lee HI can step up his erratic performance, I guess Korea's adventure is very much gone.
My vote goes to Indonesia, even though I will support Malaysia all the way. Indonesia has got all it takes to become the winner, although China team seems to be the strongest team. Korea? nah..I don't think they will go far. Their singles are weak compared to other teams and their doubles players might just lost to any Ina or Chn pairs which are going to be fielded.
In my opinion, playing in front of the home crowd can also be very pressure but since Indonesia's players are mostly "not new" eg Taufik, Candra, Sigit, Halim etc...I bet they can take the pressure. However, what about Sony? He is very likely to be playing the first singles and is expected to deliver a point there.
As for Malaysia, we haven't seen the scratch pair of Chew CHoon Eng - Koo Kien Keat performing yet. But I doubt they will earn point for Msia especially when up against the Indo pair.
In my opinion, playing in front of the home crowd can also be very pressure but since Indonesia's players are mostly "not new" eg Taufik, Candra, Sigit, Halim etc...I bet they can take the pressure. However, what about Sony? He is very likely to be playing the first singles and is expected to deliver a point there.
As for Malaysia, we haven't seen the scratch pair of Chew CHoon Eng - Koo Kien Keat performing yet. But I doubt they will earn point for Msia especially when up against the Indo pair.
TourSpEdition
Regular Member
Wow.Lots of peoples looking up to China.Yeah i agreed they are strong indeed.But gotta support my home country 
.But expected malaysia may have slightly less chances to win than Indonesia and China 
.
Gogo Malaysia!
Malaysia Boleh~!
.But expected malaysia may have slightly less chances to win than Indonesia and China . Gogo Malaysia!
Malaysia Boleh~!