Samutpakarn (Thailand), Feb 21: India has been drawn in a tough pool comprising Bangkok Asian Games gold medallist Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and hosts Thailand for the crucial Asia-Oceania Federation Cup qualifying tournament here.India, which has been seeded four here, takes on Uzbekistan in the opener tomorrow at the Than City Golf and Country Club in a Pool A match. The ten teams, grouped in two pools of five each, will play a round robin league from tomorrow to February 26 with pool toppers moving ahead to Saturday's play-off.The winner in the play-off will get entry into the elite World group qualifying round scheduled in July. The losing teams in each pool will be relegated to the Asia-Oceania Group-II qualifiers in 2000.South Korea, Hong Kong, Pacific Oceania, New Zealand and China have been drawn in Pool B.The Indian women should not have much difficulty in beating the former Soviet bloc country with Nirupama Vaidyanathan, ranked 174 on the WTA computer, leading thecharge.``They (Uzbek women players) are not very tough competitors,'' said Nirupama who has been on the American and European circuit and knows the competition. ``I have played them and won comfortably. There should be no real problem tomorrow,'' Nirupama said of the opening rubber.National champion Uzma khan, Sai Jayalakshmi and Shruti Dhawan complete the Indian line up for the Fed Cup, which is played in two singles and a doubles format.Though India may not face much threat from Uzbekistan, the next rounds will provide the real test.Bangkok Games gold medallist Taiwan, hosts Thailand with world number 37 Tamarine Tanasugarn in their ranks and Indonesia, now coached by Yayuk Basuki would be the teams to beat. India faces Taiwan on Tuesday and, after a day's break, take on Indonesia and Thailand on Thursday and Friday respectively.Asiad gold medallist Chinese Taipei is the strongest contender for the World group round. Indonesia, minus Basuki, who retired after the Asiad, will try to test theiremerging talents.
