Race is on for Thomas Cup spot

BACK-UP shuttlers Tan Chun Seang and Chan Kwong Beng's bid to make the Thomas Cup squad will begin in the National Grand Prix Finals as they will be up against other potential contenders when the tournament begins in Johor Baru on Thursday.
Chun Seang should qualify for the semi-finals from Group B consisting fellow ba...ck-up players Lim Fang Yang and Iskandar Zulkarnain and Perak's Soo Kar Seong.


He is likely to set up a semi-final showdown with Kuan Beng Hong, who should qualify from Group D, and a win will not only give Chun Seang a place in the final but also some advantage in the race for a Thomas Cup spot.

Should Beng Hong falter in a relatively easy group consisting veteran Roslin Hashim, Kuan Kam Chung and Goh Son Huat, his chances of making the Thomas Cup squad will be as good as gone.

Kwong Beng has tough battle in Group C where he must beat back-up player Liew Daren, also a contender for the Thomas Cup spot, Syawal Ismail and Shahrizal Latip to qualify for the last four.

The last four is the furthest Kwong Beng can venture where he is set to face seven-time champion Lee Chong Wei.

Men's Group A: Lee Chong Wei (Pg), Arif Latif (NS), Ho Khek Mong (Pg), Syed Akbar Shah Syed Mustakim (Mal); Group B: Tan Chun Seang (Ked), Lim Fang Yang (Pah), Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin (Joh), Soo Kar Seong (Pk); Group C: Chan Kwong Beng (Pk), Liew Daren (KL), Syawal Ismail (Sel), Shahrizal Latip (Sel); Group D: Kuan Beng Hong (Ked), Roslin Hashim (Sel), Kuan Kam Chung (KL), Goh Soon Huat (NS).

Doubles Group A: Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah (Pk); Tan Wee Kiong-Mak Hee Chun (Joh-Pk), Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah (Pg-Ked), Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han (Pah-Mal); Group B: Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari (NS-Pk), Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng (Sel-Pg), Goh Wei Shem-Vountus Indra Mawan (KL-Sab), Cheah Like Hou-Chow Pak Chuu (KL-Pk).