It is a unique situation, brought about by the format introduced by the World Badminton Federation.
For Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong and their opponents tomorrow (Tuesday) Chung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae of Korea are in a position to pick their potential opponents in the quarterfinals of the men's doubles competition of the Olympic Games.
The two pairs have both registered two wins each and are placed in Group D. They will play against the champions and runners-up of Group B.
Matches in Group B have been completed and the 4th seeds, Ko Sung Hyun/Yoo Yeon Seong were sent packing, after defeats at the hands Isara Bodin/Jongjit Maneepong of Thailand and Mohammad Ashan/ Bona Septano of Indonesia.
Thus the Thai pair, having beaten the Indonesians have topped their group and will play the runner-up of Group B, the loser of the Koo/Tan - Chung/Lee match.
"It makes no difference as to who we play as ultimately one has to defeat every opponent if we harbour hopes of winning the gold medal," said Koo.
"We will just go out there without taking this into consideration and I am sure the Koreans too would not want to lose just avoid the Thai pair.
"It is indeed a unique position, but I do not think we should look much into this at the moment as all we want to do is maintain our form and focus."
Indeed it will be unique for both pairs could opt not to play to win, as they might want to play the Thai's instead of the Indonesians.
Let's wait and see what happens, for one of them could event feint injury and retire from the match.
