Chinese shuttlers 'vulnerable' at Olympics
On paper, China's mighty shuttlers look set to clinch a bagful of gold medals in Beijing.
Not only do they boast the world's best players, but the team has been boosted by recent thumpings of rivals South Korea and Indonesia at the Thomas and Uber Cups, one of the last major tournaments before the Games.
Then there's the home advantage: Thousands of adoring fans are set to pack the Beijing University Gymnasium in August to cheer on the champions - who dominate the sport's top tournaments - as they attempt the historic feat of winning all five golds on offer.
But closer scrutiny shows chinks have started to appear in all-conquering China's armor, just weeks before the Games gets underway.
China's golden couple and world No 1s, Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang, have suffered shock defeats, while China's men's and mixed doubles are set to be shaken by Indonesia, whose pairs, thanks to recent superb form, have seized the top seedings.
"What is clear is that the Chinese are not invincible and they can lose their composure when they are under pressure too, which should be good news for everyone," Netherlands coach Martijn Van Dooremalen said after his team took China's women to the brink at the Uber Cup before they recovered to win 3-2.
"They can be beaten," he said.
China head coach Li Yongbo, who drills his charges with military precision, admits rivals are catching up, but welcomes the improvements, while stressing that China is on course for gold in Beijing.
"I agree that badminton in China has declined a bit but I am also pleased that internationally the standard of badminton has risen," he said.
"That helps to push us to improve further."
China's Lin was beaten in a Thomas Cup clash by Malaysian star Lee Chong Wei who described the win as his best yet against the back-to-back world champion.
Seeded second for Beijing, Lee stands the biggest chance of halting the Chinese charge in the men's singles, along with Danish giants Kenneth Jonassen, seeded five, and Peter Gade, ranked No 8.
Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro also looms, and teammate Taufik Hidayat always poses a threat, although the temperamental shuttler has recently shown little of the form that won him Olympic gold four years ago.
China, however, not only boast the world No 1, but strength in numbers.
If Lin Dan falls during the Games, the host can count on formidable foot soldiers Bao Chunlai, seeded three, and No 4 Chen Jin, winner of this year's prestigious All England championship, to carry the flag.
China won three gold in Athens and four in Sydney and, with the Games on home soil, will be aiming for a clean sweep this time around.
But its toughest hurdle to achieve that feat is expected to come in the men's doubles, with Indonesian duo Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan, the world champions, taking the top seed.
China's Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun are second, with South Korea's Lee Yong-dae and Jung Jae-sung baying for blood in third.
Indonesia is also favorite in the mixed doubles ahead of China, but the team looks certain of gold in the women's thanks to rock solid pair Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen, the world champions and defending Olympic title holders.
In the women's singles, Xie Xingfang and Olympic gold medalist Zhang Ning will spearhead the charge for the host nation, strongly backed up by third seed Lu Lan.
But the lightning-quick Xie has also stumbled in the lead-up.
She was downed at the Uber Cup by Dutch star Yao Jie - compounding problems for Xie, who, along with Zhang, were bundled out of the All England in the opening rounds.
That title eventually went to Denmark's sixth seed Tine Rasmussen who beat Lu Lan, sending an ominous warning about her intentions in Beijing.
Indonesia women's coach Susi Susanti - an Olympic gold medalist in Barcelona - said shuttlers should not be intimidated by China who was indeed vulnerable.
"I feel that the Chinese singles are not as unbeatable as they used to be when I was playing," she said.
"If we consider how (Malaysia's) Wong Mew Choo won in China, Tine Rasmussen's recent success at the All England, I hope my players can use these examples to remember that the Chinese are beatable."
