Champions China a class apart as Uber Cup begins

Champions China a class apart as Uber Cup begins
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

Kuala Lumpur, May 10: Retirement and migration in Indonesian ranks have left China's women overwhelming favourites to retain their Uber Cup title when the team tournament starts here on Thursday.

Audina -- the heroine of Indonesia's dramatic Uber Cup victory in 1994 -- left her native country for the Netherlands after the death of her mother and marriage to a Dutch gospel singer.

``It will be a good achievement if they can reach the semi-final. Reaching the final will be a miracle,'' Indonesian Badminton Federation Chief Subagyo Hadisiswoyo said of his team's chances.

Indonesia, runners-up to China at the 1998 finals in Hong Kong, are drawn in the Pink Group and will face second-seeds Denmark, Japan and Malaysia when the competition starts at the Putra Stadium.

The weakened Indonesian squad leaves China in a league of their own, with most observers believing the only meaningful competition will be for second place.

The Chinese field a team bristling with talent with four of the top five ranked women in the World.

Spearheading their squad is the reigning All-England champion and current world No 1 Gong Zhichao, with World No 2 Dai Yun close behind. Ye Zhaoying, World No 4 and Gong Ruina (5) make up the numbers.

China, who face South Korea, Sweden and the Netherlands in their Purple Group, also look untouchable in the doubles, with reigning Olympic and All-England champions Ge Fei and Gu Jun heading the squad.

History is also on China's side. Since joining the international fray at the 1984 tournament, they have enjoyed unrivalled success, winning the title a record six times.

``We are too strong for our opponents,'' said China coach Li Yong Bo. ``We are not worried of any team at all.''

The team which on paper looks most capable of pulling off an upset against the Chinese appears to be Denmark, who expect World champion Camilla Martin to provide their cutting edge.

Nevertheless, Denmark coach Kenneth Larsen maintains that his squad -- and everyone else's -- is going to be playing second fiddle to the Chinese.

Winning their Group and reaching the final are the main goals, Larsen said.

``No matter what, we have to finish first in our group in order to be able to reach the final,'' he said.

``Against China we have hardly no chance. No one has. So we have to play our best games in the group matches to avoid playing them in the semi-finals.''

Also in Denmark's group are five-time winners Japan, who will field three of the World's top 15 players in their squad and could well qualify for the last four ahead of Indonesia.