Para-shuttler Cheah Liek Hou has received a favourable Paralympic draw for the SU5 men's singles event.
In the draw conducted in Tokyo yesterday, Liek Hou, the second seed, was pooled in Group B with Japan's Taiyo Imai, Taiwan's Fang Jen Yu and Egypt's Ahmed Eldakrory.
The Malaysian should face no problems topping the group and advancing to the semi-finals.
Liek Hou's main rival and top seed Dheva Andrimusthi of Indonesia is in Group A with compatriot Suryo Nugroho, Poland's Bartlomiej Mroz and France's Meril Loquette.
"The draw looks easy, and Liek Hou should be able to reach the semi-finals as the group champion. However, he has to be cautious and take all his opponents seriously to avoid unfavourable results," said coach Rashid Sidek when contacted in Tokyo yesterday.
"He has beaten Imai and Jen Yu previously, but he cannot take them lightly. To be a worthy champion, he has to beat them in straight games for confidence as the real competition starts in the semi-finals.
"There is also an advantage with the Indonesian players in the same group as they will go all out to top their group to avoid Liek Hou in the last four.
"This will give me a chance to evaluate their form."
Liek Hou said: "It is a good draw. Although I will not meet any Indonesian player in the group stage, I cannot take the other opponents lightly.
"Imai and Jen Yu are my main opponents in the group stage, and I must beat them to reach the semi-finals.
"Imai is playing in his own backyard amid without fans, so it could boost his confidence to go the distance," said Liek Hou.
However, compatriot Didin Taresoh will face a tough time in the SH6 (short stature) men's singles category.
Didin, 46, is in Group B with the in-form Krishna Nagar of India and Vitor Gonzalves Tavarez of Brazil.
Rashid said both shuttlers have beaten Didin in recent tournaments.
Although Didin avoided Britain's Jack Shephard and Krysten Coombs and Chu Man Kai of Hong Kong, who are in Group A, Rashid feels competition in Group B will be stiffer.
"On current form, Krishna and Tavarez are the group favourites. Didin has to give his best and try to beat both of them," said Rashid.
"For a start, Didin must forget about past records. It will be a great achievement if Didin can upset the odds."
Para badminton starts on Sept 1 with the semi-finals and final on Sept 4.
