India blank Finland to top group

India is most likely to run into Ukraine who are set to top Group 3B with an upset victory over fancied Hong Kong, to decide the team who will qualify into Group 2 for the next edition of Sudirman Cup in 2001.

Meanwhile, China and Denmark kept on course for a Sudirman Cup final showdown when they won their final group matches to maintain their 100 per cent records in the elite groups of the 51-nation tournament.

But they did so in widely contrasting fashions. While Denmark crushed their neighbours Sweden 5-0, the Chinese squeezed past inaugural winners Indonesia 3-2 by virtue of winning the final mixed doubles.

The outcome was in starkcontrast to their opening 4-1 stroll past Malaysia. But it all adds up to a semi-final situation where China face South Korea and Denmark take on Indonesia.

Denmark, meanwhile, crushed Sweden with straight sets wins all the way. While China are chasing a third Sudirman Cup win in a row, the Danes are bidding to become the first non-Asian country to capture the trophy.

It had proved an intriguing day both on and off the court.

On it, Wales won their third match in a row to press for promotion from Group 4B while England crushed old enemies and injury-hit Scotland 5-0 to leave them threatened with relegation from group two.

Off court, the Indonesians are trying to overcome the loss of their top women’s singles player Mia Audina after granting the 19-year-old a two-month leave of absence to sort out her personal life and her badminton future.

In another development, the 10-strong Iraqi team of four players and six officials were refused visas by the Danish immigration authorities and will not be takepart in the qualifying rounds on Sunday. Result: India bt Finland 5-0 (P Gopi Chand bt Pontus Jiantti 16-17 15-10 15-7; Aparna Popat bt Anu Weekstrom 11-3 11-7; Manjusha & Lakshmi bt A Weekstrom & N Weekstrom 15-0 15-7)