GUANGZHOU, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese are no doubt the most competitve in the Asian Games badminton field but it will take much effort for the powerhouse to surpass what they achieved in Doha four years ago.
Asian Games is unique in terms of the badminton event that has both team and individual competitions while other international tournament only has one or the other.
"That's why the Asian Games is a place for upsets. If the players go all out for the team competition, they lose form for the individual contests," Chinese team head coach Li Yongbo once said.
The Chinese team will start their defense of both men's and women's team glories on Saturday.
The Chinese men's team, spearheaded by Olympic and world champion Lin Dan, is likely to face Indonesia in the top half for a final place while Malaysia and South Korea are competitive for a berth in the final.
For the women's team, they probably brood revenge for their Uber Cup final defeat when they meet South Korea in the first half. Chinese Taipei and Japan could pose as strong competitors in the second half.
"Team competition is my priority," said Lin Dan. "If we stick together, unite as one, we could succeed."
But for Lin, the only glory that eludes him is the singles title in the Asian Games as the 27-year-old armyman already has one Olympic title, three world championship golds, Thomas Cup and Sudiman Cup victories as well as World Cup wins under his belt.
"Of course every player wants to go from good to better but one should not be obsessed with it," said Lin. "Most of the world top players are in the Asian Games, so in a match here, one little mistake could cost you the victory."
Lin, second seed here, must overcome the challenge from Ngyuyen Tien Minh of Vietnam if he wants to have a rematch with Indonesian ace Taufik Hidayat, who beat Lin in Doha Asian Games final for the singles title.
Lin's teammate Chen Jin, newly crowned world champion, needs to be aware of world number one Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia. Lee recently has been plagued by injury and got a fever right before he left for Guangzhou, local media reported on Tuesday.
In the women's singles, 20-year-old Wang Shixian replaced low form world number two Wang Yihan. Shixian, twice winner of the Super Series this year, was called the "best surprise of 2009" by head coach Li Yongbo after she stunned the field to take the China Masters in Changzhou last year.
As a part of preparation for the 2012 London Olympic Games, Asian Games provided China an opportunity to try some new pairs.
Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei, All-England and Japan Open mixed double champions, will have to challenge top seed Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam of Thailand as well as Ko Sunghyun/Ha Jungeun from South Korea.
As for another Chinese pair He Hanbin/Ma Jin, who paired up just two months ago, may find Chinese Taipei pair Lee Sheng Mu and Chien Yu Chin difficult opponents after the latters surprised Olympic champions Lee Yongdae and Lee Hyojung in this year's world championships in Paris.
Yu Yang was seperated from her Olympic women's double winning partner Du Jing to team up with Wang Xiaoli. The new pair's road looks rough. Top seed Chien Yu Chin/Cheng Wen Hsing will be their first major obstacle to progress.
Men's doubles title probablay the most difficult for the Chinese as defending champions Koo Kien Keat Koo/Tan Boon Heong of Malaysia, Olympic champions Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia and South Korean Lee Yongdae/Chung Jaesung will all be tough rivals for world champions Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng and Guo Zhendong/Xu Chen.
