Korea geared up to exceed Denmark in semi-finals of Thomas Cup 2012 – Badminton Update
Korea has been doing tremendously well in Thomas Cup Finals as they made it into the top four teams of the event and now they are filled with confidence to surpass Denmark in semi-finals on May 25, 2012.
Earlier, they were ranked low in this tournament but their splendid performance in group stage and quarter-final round took them into final rounds after four years.
Korea was in Group D with Germany and United States of America and their top position in group ensured an easy draw for them in round of eight as they locked horns with Germany.
They tamed their counter-part in same manner with 3-0 and reserved their right to be in the semi-finals of the premium team event.
The assistant team manager Kim Hong Ki admitted that their Singles campaigners faltered against Germany in Group tie but he looked happy that they are back on track after a blistering knock in the elimination round.
He said, “The group tie against Germany was a reality check for our singles players. We are happy that their confidence has been restored and it should serve them well against Denmark tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, the Doubles squad lived up to its billing and prime campaigner Jung Jae Sung’s absence was not felt at all.
Korean side had the services of Lee Yong Dae-Kim Sa Rang and Yoo Yeon Seong-Ko Sung Hyun and they proved their class in preliminary stages.
Kim Hong Ki believes they were blessed with favourable draw which played vital role in their success. He also expressed his contentment over the performance of Men’s Doubles campaigners.
He said, “We are luckier than the other teams to have come this far. Our draw has been good. We are quite happy with our doubles players as they have adapted well.”
Now the real challenge awaits them in the second last round of the tournament as they are scheduled to meet Danish shuttlers who overpowered Malaysia in early rounds.
Korea enjoys an upper hand in Doubles event while Denmark has slight edge in Singles department.
However, team manager Kim Hong declared that to win or lose is not the issue as they will play just to have a good practice run before mega London Olympics.
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