KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7: Former champions China were placed in a tough group including strong challengers Thailand at the draw for badminton's men's Thomas Cup Preliminaries (Asian Zone) in Kuala Lumpur Saturday.

China was drawn with Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam in Group D for the Feb 16-22 qualifiers here, with only one team from the group getting automatic qualification to the May finals in Jakarta.

The four group champions will move on to the knockout stages to determine the first to fourth placing with the third-ranked team in each group playing to decide the fifth berth available for the zone.

The Chinese will find the going tough against Thailand, who boast of two strong doubles combinations in Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisvas, and Sudket Prapakamol and Patapol Ngernsrisuk.

South Korea, Malaysia and Japan should have no problem booking their berths as they have been placed with relatively weaker teams.

South Korea and will prove to be a handful for India, Iran and Macau in Group A.

Likewise hosts Malaysia should have little problems disposing of the challenges posed by Hong Kong and Sri Lanka in Group B.

With Singapore opting not to field naturalized citizens, Japan too will have it easy in Group C, which also features Pakistan.

In the women's Uber Cup, South Korea and Japan should have no problems making the last four and they will most likely be joined by Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Thoman Cup grouping

Group A

South Korea, India, Iran, Macau

Group B

Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka

Group C

Japan, Singapore, Pakistan

Group D

China, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam

Uber Cup grouping

Group A

Japan, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Macau

Group B

South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.-AFP