Last year’s beaten quarter-finalists Thailand, a rising power in junior badminton, believe they have the team to win this year’s Asian Junior badminton mixed team title after steamrolling minnows 5-0 in their opening Group B match on Saturday.It was an easy win for the Thais at the Jaya Raya Sports Centre in Bintaro, Jakarta in the four-team Group B which also saw the Chinese Taipei fight and nail with Hong China before snatching a 3-2 win with the tie going down the wire and decided the last match – which was decided in the mixed doubles.
“We have a strong team this year…which, I believe is good enough to reach the final at least,” said Thailand coach Tony Somphopcharoen, a former national champion.
“Macau may not be a badminton powerhouse but I am still impressed with my players. Getting a feel of court and the environment plays an important in badminton.”
Thailand will face Hong Kong China later in the day in their second group match while Chinese Taipei will take on Macau China in another Group B match.
After seeing Hong Kong China give Chinese Taipei a run for their money in the morning the Thai will unleash their top players, including Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the boy’s singles for the match against Hong Kong.
Last year the Thais lost to South Korea 3-1 in the quarter-finals. The Koreans went on to take the title with a 3-2 win over Indonesia in the final. – Badminton Asia
RESULTS (Morning session)
GROUP A
China 5 Myanmar 0
GROUP B
Thailand 5 Macau China 0
Chinese Taipei 3 Hong Kong China 2
GROUP C
Korea 5 Sri Lanka 0
India 5 Kazakhstan 0
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