China is one step closer to maintaining its title and clinching a six-time victory at the Sudirman Cup mixed team world badminton championship after ousting South Korea 3-0 in the semifinal here Saturday.
Head coach Li Yongbo, however, said he might drop Lin Dan, the world men's singles No.1 and world champion, from the squad's line-up due to his poor performance in the last two matches. Lin bowed out to Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in Thursday's round-robin match.
China's stumbling block to retain its title will be Indonesia or England. Both countries were slated to play another semifinal later Saturday (early Sunday Jakarta time). England became the fifth team ever to qualify for the Sudirman Cup semis after defeating Thailand 4-1 in the round robin group match Thursday.
In the one-sided tie, badminton powerhouse China dominated the first three matches with the fourth and fifth going unplayed.
Lin dropped the second game but still won against Shong Seung-mo 21-11, 18-21, 21-14 in the decisive 63 minute match.
"We had predicted to win 3-0. The mixed doubles and women's singles players played well and I'm very proud of them.
"But for Lin Dan, if he's still playing like that we may have to replace him for the final," said Li, who is known for his iron-fisted management of his proteges. "If he's not sure about his performance, how can the team be? Lin is a fighter but he didn't show it today.
"We're here to defend our title as well as to prepare the team for the 2008 Olympic Games."
China's new partnership of Zheng Bo and Gao Ling had to fight hard before taming Han Sang-hoon and Lee Hyo-jung in the opening mixed doubles match to win 21-17, 22-20 in 45 minutes.
"With a younger partner, I've had to back him up," said the more-experienced Gao Ling, who previously partnered with now-retired Zhang Jun to win the back-to-back Olympic gold medal.
"Zheng lost a few points in services, he was doubtful about hitting the shuttlecock high because the Korean pairs would smash it at him. I just told him not to be scared," she said.
Zheng concurred, saying making mistakes in a match was normal.
But the Chinese pair were reluctant to talk about their next opponent in the final. "We'd rather concentrate on the match today," Zheng said.
Chinese women's singles world No. 1 Zhang Ning extended her winning streak over South Korean Hwang Hye-youn to 5-0 after winning the second match 21-14, 12-17 in 37 minutes.
"I'm pleased with my performance. Her points were gained with my mistakes," said the 32-year-old Zhang. "There's always pressure when we play the Korean women and the audience's expectations are high. Although I've got injuries, I still tried my best today."
Speaking about China's next rival, Zhang said both Indonesia and England had equal chances. "Indonesia should win the men's games," she said.
Indonesia has only slightly changed its line-up. Mixed doubles Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir are slated to take on world champions Nathan Robertson and Gaill Emms, followed by women's singles Maria Kristin versus Tracey Hallam; men's singles Taufik Hidayat facing Andrew Smith; women's doubles Greysia Polii and Vita Marissa against Gail Emms and Donna Kellog and a scratch partnership of old hand Candra Wijaya and Markis Kido meeting Anthony Clark and Robert Blair.
Source : www.thejakartapost.com
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