The Philippines drew defending champions Indonesia in the men's team quarter-finals when the draw for the knockout stage was made at the end of the preliminary group matches at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Thursday.
The hosts who surprised Singapore with a 3-2 win and stay in contention as runners-up in Group C, however, vowed to fight against the Indonesians who are hot favorites to retain the title.
"It looks tough but the challenge is there," said coach Ronald Magnaye. ''Nobody expected us to reach this stage but we are here…we will make the best out of it.''
For Indonesia team manager Susy Susanti it was mixed emotions when the women's team drew defending champions Japan in the quarter-finals.
"I am not happy with the draw for the women's team as we cannot qualify on merit for the Uber Cup,'' said the 1992 Barcelona Olympic gold medallist.
The top four (semi-finalists) in the Badminton Asia Team Championships is the Asia qualifier for the Tomas and Uber Cup Finals which will be held in Aarhus, Denmark in May.
In the last edition of the Asian Team Championships in Alor Setar, Malaysia the Indonesians won the men's title with a 3-1 win over China in the final. In the semi-finals, Indonesia beat Korea 3-2 while China triumphed 3-1 against Malaysia.
Japan won the women's team title with a 3-0 win over China in the final. In the semi-finals, Japan beat India 3-0 and China beat Korea 3-1.
The other quarter-final draw for the men saw Thailand up against India, Korea will take on Malaysia and Japan will face Chinese Taipei.
Malaysia will face Chinese Taipei in the women's quarter-finals, Thailand will take on Kazakhstan, Singapore has a tough match against Korea.
Thailand team manager Crithtin Kridtanukoon expects a ''50-50'' match against India in the men's team event.
''India is a tough nut to crack and you can expect the Indians to come charging after their 4-1 defeat to Malaysia in the group match today,'' said Crithtin.
Thailand, however, is expected to waltz past Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals and a place in the Uber Cup Finals.
''It will not be a probably against Kazakhstan…we are confidently looking at the semi-finals and beyond. This is probably our year.''
The Thai's will face either Singapore or Korea in the last four.
QUARTER-FINALS DRAW
MEN
Indonesia vs the Philippines
Thailand vs India
Korea vs Malaysia
Japan vs Chinese Taipei
WOMEN
Japan vs Indonesia
Chinese Taipei vs Malaysia
Kazakhstan vs Thailand
Singapore vs Korea
