"I am quite satisfied with my players' performance today," said delighted Chinese head coach Li Yongbo, "If they continue such form in the finals like today, I am sure we can defend the title."

    In-form Lin Dan, now ranked first in the world, unexpectedly eased past Olympic and world champion Taufik Hidayat with a score of 21-16 and 21-8 in 42 minutes. Lin's win leveled the record at 3-3 all between the world top two shuttlers.

    This point was seen as the key to the whole match and it turned out to be the truth.

    "I am very happy to take the important point for my team," said Lin Dan, adding that he would do his best in the following finals on Sunday against the winner between Denmark and Malaysia in the evening.

    In the following thrilling first doubles, China's Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, world number three pair, ousted Luluk Hadiyanto and Yulianto Alven 24-22 and 21-17 after they changed leading position time from time.

    The third point of China was from Bao Chunlai. When 16-16 in the first game, the tall Chinese took four points in a row mainly on his cross-smashes and finished the game at 21-17 over Soni Dwi Kuncoro, world number 20.

    But in the second, Soni led all the way to 16-9 and 20-19. At the crucial time, the Chinese saved three game points before he won the game and match at 24-22.

    The victory added Bao's winning streak against Soni 5-0 in their past meetings.

    "Lin Dan was in top form while Taufik not. That's why we lost the match against China," said Lius Pongoh, team manager of Indonesia.

    It takes 12 years for China to win back the Thomas Cup trophy two years ago in Jakarta, beating Denmark 3-1 in the finals. Enditem