TABLE TENNIS: The Australian men’s and women’s table tennis teams can be confident of a strong showing at next month’s World Team Championships in Malaysia after the group draws were made.
The Australian men’s team, currently ranked 38th in the world, take on Spain (24), Serbia (25), Bulgaria (35), Latvia (44) and Puerto Rico (51) in the second division of the Championships.
The Australian men’s team will be Kane Townsend, David Powell, Heming Hu and Erny Tsao.
“The men’s team draw will be a tough challenge for the boys,” National Head Coach, Jens Lang, said.
“We have a young team which has lots of potential, but at the same time needs this type of international competition in order to progress further.
“Serbia and Spain should be the kingpins in our group. There won’t be any easy matches for us as Bulgaria, Latvia and even Puerto Rico are all at least at our level. Our stretch target is to be in the top 40 which would guarantee us a spot in Division 2 in 2018.”
The Australian women’s team, at 48th in the world, head into their division three group as the highest ranked combination.
The Australians will take on Uzbekistan (58), Estonia (59), Congo Brazzaville (69), Algeria (72) and Nepal (86).
The Australian women’s team includes four-time Olympians Jian Fang Lay and Miao Miao, as well as Michelle Beaumont and Melissa Tapper.
“The women’s team draw provided us with a manageable group,” coach Lang said.
“The players from countries like Uzbekistan and Estonia are fairly unknown to us, but their international results show that they are competitive.
“We need to be alert as the competition has become very even, there are no small countries anymore. Even associations like Congo Brazzaville now have top Chinese players in their ranks.
“The aim is to win the group in order to put us in the best position to reach our goal to make the final of the Division 3.”
The 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships will be contested in Kuala Lumpur from February 28 until March 6.
ROSS SOLLY FOR TABLE TENNIS AUSTRALIA
