Bet on the Danes (The Malay Mail)

Reporting from Hong Kong

FORMER Indian ace PRAKASH PADUKONE presents his views to Mailsport on
today's showdown between Malaysia and Denmark.
 The former All-England champion, who last played for India in the 1988
Thomas Cup qualifer, is in Hong Kong as a freelance journalist for the
Hindu and Sports Times.
 I SEE Denmark as having the edge, say 60-40. They are in good form now.
 Denmark should secure victory in two singles and one doubles for a 3-2
win. Or they may even sweep all three singles and one double for a 4-1
win.
 Malaysia are under tremendous pressure to win the match and in
convincing fashion too.
 A 3-2 margin may not even be good enough. The Malaysians must be strong
mentally for the challenge.
 Should Malaysia rise to the occasion, I think they can only take one
singles and two doubles.
 The bottom line is that the odds favour the Danes.

PRAKASH'S ASSESEMENTS
 First Singles: Rashid Sidek v Paul Erik Hoyer-Larsen.
 This match should go Larsen's way based on current form. He is a very
stable player who is mentally and physically strong. Above all it is
difficult to break arsen's game.
 Rashid is unpredictable. If he is on song, he could give Larsen a run
for his money.
 But I still do not see him defeating Larsen who packs  solid defence
unlike Rashid who can commit a lot of errors when under pressure.
 Rashid's game is also very predictable and with little variation. He
will have problems.
 It will take a lot for Rashid to spring a surprise.
 First Doubles: Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock v Jon Holst-Christiansen-
Thomas Stavngaard. Thomas Lund may come in as a surprise replacement.
 Word has it that Thomas Lund is in town. But then, why was he not
fielded against the Koreans on Sunday? But even if he plays, I don't think
Lund will be in good shape because it would be his first match in Hong
Kong and he might not be familiar with the conditions.
 In anycase, whether he partners Holst Christensen or not, I think this
doubles match belongs to Cheah and Yap.
 Holst-Christensen and Stavngaard certainly have not been impressive and
it will even easier for the Malaysian pair if the duo play. It might be
slightly more difficult with Lund playing, but I still give Malaysians the
edge.
 SECOND SINGLES: Ong Ewe Hock v Thomas Stuer Lauridsen
 The Malaysian camp will be counting on Ong's fighting qualities to pull
off an upset.
 I can say it is all the way uphill.
 Ong had done well to beat Korea's Lee Kwang Jin but Lauridsen is in a
different class.
 For starters, Ong will be starting at a disadvantage because of his
small stature against the much taller Lauridsen.
 Lauridsen will definitely have the edge. As Ong is a defensive player
who lacks attacking qualities, it will be hard for him to trouble the
Dane.
 Ong may have strong stamina and determination but I don't think that
will be enough.
 The only way for Ong to beat his opponent is to tire Lauridsen out.
 Lauridsen's  fitness is suspect having just returned to the game after a
series of injuries. And if the injuries act up, he could be in trouble.
 But Lauridsen showed good fitness against Kwang Jin despite being
strectched to three sets.
 This tie should go to the Dane.
 SECOND DOUBLES: Soo Beng Kiang-Tan Kim Her v Henrik Svarrer-Michael
Sogaard
 Although Malaysia are banking on this tie to provide a point, this could
be a touch and go affair.
 Svarrer-Sogaard looked impressive despite their loss to Park Joo Bong
and Kim Dong Moon.
 The Danes look much capable of giving Beng Kiang-Kim Her a run for their
money. The Malaysian pair will have to hit top form to win.
 Furthermore, the pressure will be on the Malaysians because overall
Malaysia are in a critical situation where they can't afford to win in
rubber games.
 This tie could well go into three setters with either pair winning.
 If the Danes triumph, it will be all over for Malaysia but if Soo-Tan
clinch this one, the third singles next will most probably be the decider.
 THIRD SINGLES: Pang Chen v Peter Rasmussen
 This one should go hands down to Peter Rasmussen. And I am not saying
this because Pang Chen looked bad against Ahn Jae Chang earlier.
 I am more impressed by Rasmussen's form and I think he is the most
exciting player in this tournament.
 The young Dane is improving with each match and he is definitely in the
footsteps of Larsen.
 Although he was known to be a temperamental player, he looks more
composed these days.
 Rasmussen has great determination with a lot of fire in him and whether
Pang Chen can handle that is left to be seen.
 But I personally feel that Rasmussen will be too hot for Pang Chen to
handle.
                                (END)