KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 – Malaysia are expected to face stiff competition in the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals scheduled from May 15-21 in Kunshan, China, after being drawn in the same group with South Korea and China. According to the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) official website www.bwfbadminton.org, Malaysia are drawn in Group C alongside South Korea, England and Germany for the Thomas Cup.
Malaysia, ranked sixth in the BWF team ranking, however have to be careful with England, ranked 12th in world, to confirm a place in the knock-out stage, as only top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage. Malaysia has won five Thomas Cup titles in 1949, 1952, 1955, 1967 and 1992. Defending champion, Japan and top seeds China found themselves drawn in the same group with France and Mexico in Group A.
In the Uber Cup, Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with 13 times winner, China, Denmark and Spain. China won the Uber Cup in 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2014 but Malaysia has never won the Uber Cup. Sixteen teams qualified for both the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals based on their performance in the continental team championships and team rankings.
Thomas Cup Draw:
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Group A: China, Japan, France, Mexico
Group B: Indonesia, India, Thailand, Hong Kong
Group C: South Korea, MALAYSIA, England, Germany
Group D: Denmark, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, South Africa
Uber Cup Draw:
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Group A: China, Denmark, Spain, MALAYSIA
Group B: South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Mauritius, United States
Group C: Thailand, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Hong Kong
Group D: Japan, India, Australia, Germany
