Thomas Cup: Expect a tough fight against South Korea - Frost

Malaysia are expected to name world number two Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Zulfadli Zulkifli and Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin for the men's singles and doubles pairs Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong and Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong for the Thomas Cup Finals.

Both the doubles pairs had shown outstanding performances in the All England and Swiss Open championships held over the last two weeks while Zulfadli and Iskandar have also shown marked improvement in their play.

Malaysia are drawn in Group C with South Korea, England and Germany. According to the ranking list issued by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Malaysia are currently ranked sixth in the world, while South Korea are ranked fourth.

BAM technical director Morten Frost Hansen said as the second seeded team in Group C, players cannot underestimate their rivals, Germany and England.

"It’s a good draw in the Thomas Cup and they (players) should be able to overcome Germany and England...to end top of the group, I predict it will be a tough fight against South Korea.

In the Uber Cup, Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with 13 times winner, China, Denmark and Spain.

"In the Uber Cup we will have a fighting chance against Denmark and Spain and a possibility of making the quarterfinals," Frost told Bernama on Monday.

Frost said the players list would be announced after the Badminton Association of Malaysia's (BAM) Coaching & Training (C&T) committee meeting in April.

BAM deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said he believed the team had a chance of making the quarterfinals but before that the players must beat England and Germany.

Malaysia were the runner-up in the 2014 edition after losing to Japan 2-3.

"For me, the men's team may not face a problem to reach the quarterfinals, but I can't really comment about their performance. I need to see the lineup of the players in the C&T meeting which will be held early next month," said Mohamad Norza.