At the World Team Cup in Linz in October 2009, the final saw China face Korea in the men’s final. From the very first point the Chinese trio of Zhang Jike, Ma Long and Xu Xin attacked; they tore into the Korean outfit of Oh Sang Eun, Joo Se Hyuk and Ryu Seung Min.

They surrendered just one individual game. 

The one crumb of comfort for the Koreans came from Joo Se Hyuk, he extended Ma Long to four games. Otherwise the Chinese juggernaut was unstoppable.

Once Again Principal Challengers
In Dubai, for the U.A.E. World Team Cup Classic to be staged from Tuesday 28th September to Friday 1st October 2010, the Koreans once again will be the strongest challengers for China.

All six players who competed in the final in Austria will be on duty; in Linz, the ebullience of youth overcame the wisdom of experience.

Now, can the scenario be reversed in the United Arab Emirates?

Singaporean and Swedish Example
Certainly, the Koreans have shown they are a match for the Chinese stars, all have wins against elite players from that country at some stage of the careers but of course they do not hold the balance of victories.

If they are to topple China in Dubai, all three must peak at the same time; the must follow the example of the Singaporeans in the Women’s final at the Liebherr World Championships in Moscow earlier this year or the Swedes in the Men’s Team final in Kuala Lumpur in 2000.

Looking Ahead
The three Chinese players have many years ahead, if they do not qualify for the London Olympic Games in 2012, they will be strong contenders for places in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and for places on the medal podium.

However, for the Korean trio, could London be their last Olympic Games?

Possible Farewell in London
Ryu Seung Min, now 28 years old, has clearly stated that London 2012 will be his farewell to international play, whilst by the time the Games are celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, Oh Sang Eun will be 39 years old and Joo Se Hyuk will be 36 years of age.

Accepted both will be younger than when Jörgen Persson competed in Beijing two years ago but Asian players tend to peak at a young age than Europeans and consequently retire from international play at a younger age.

Could Dubai be the last time we see Oh Sang Eun, Joo Se Hyuk and Ryu Seung Min as a trio in an international team event?

Replacements
Furthermore, there seem to be willing replacements standing in the wings.

Jung Young Sik and Kim Min Seok are the immediate names that come to mind; they are ranked no.1 and no.2 respectively on the current ITTF Under 18 Boys’ World Rankings and a place in the first team is surely only a matter of time.

Olympic Place
In Dubai, a good performance from Zhang Jike, Ma Long and Xu Xin may go some way to helping them secure a place in the first ever Olympic Games; for Joo Se Hyuk, Oh Sang Eun and Ryu Seung Min it may help them reserve a place in their last.

Source: www.ittf.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDpRZoQuFMM

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