The men, spearheaded by the country’s No-1 player Boonsak Polsana, comfortably moved past Vietnam 4-1 in the first preliminary match of Group B, but the women’s hopes of making it to the finals in Japan evaporated after a 3-2 defeat to Singapore.

The men’s team began dictating proceedings to unfancied Vietnam when Boonsak shrugged off a second-game lapse to defeat Nguyen Tien Minh 21-14 20-22 21-18 and keep Thailand 1-0 ahead.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Quang Minh fought valiantly to win the second singles over Poompat Sapkulchananart 28-26 21-16. Peerasak Wiriyapadungpong picked up Thailand’s second point by beating Nguyen Huy Giang 19-21 21-8 21-9.

Thailand wrapped up the match by winning both the doubles matches. Sudket Prapakamol and Patapol Ngernsrisuk toppled Nguyen Quang Minh and Nguyen Hoan Hai 21-18 21-17 before Songpol Anukritayawan and Nitipong Saengsila wrested the fourth point by beating Nguyen Tien Minh and Tran Thanh Hai 22-20 21-18.

Thailand were expected to have a tough second-round match against powerful Indonesia later yesterday. Only the top team in the three-nation group will

make it to the April final in Sendai.

The women’s team already lost its chances of getting into the finals after suffering a defeat against Singapore. It was the team’s second loss following a surprise loss at the hands of hosts India 3-2 in the first round.

They were scheduled to play Hong Kong, who have world No-3 Wang Chen in the their ranks, late last night.