World champion Lin Dan suffered a rare defeat as China completed their Sudirman Cup preliminaries with a 4-1 victory over Malaysia on Thursday.

Lin was beaten 21-17 21-17 by former world number one Lee Chong Wei in the last match, bringing their career head-to-head record to 5-3 in Lin's favor.

Lee's win gave Malaysia a chance of reaching the semi-finals on the games countback if England fail to beat Thailand later on Thursday. The Malaysian described his success as "important."

It was the first time since the 2003 final that China had not won a Sudirman Cup match 5-0 but coach Li Yongbo was satisfied with the outcome and with Lin's result, pointing out that China were 4-0 up at the time.

Indonesia and three-times winners South Korea booked their last-four slots on Wednesday after finishing as winners and runners-up in their group.

Holders China had already effectively advanced on the strength of 5-0 beatings of England and Thailand and face South Korea in Saturday's semi-finals.

England, who edged Malaysia 3-2 earlier this week, can make the semis for the first time since the biennial event was inaugurated in 1989 if they beat Thailand.

Although England boast a strong doubles squad, headed by world mixed champions Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms, the clash looks delicately poised.

China are hot favorites to retain the title but Indonesian doubles player Candra Wijaya told reporters on Wednesday: "We have not come here just to take part."

In the last final in 2005, China beat Indonesia in front of an 18,000 crowd in Beijing to lift the trophy for the fifth time. Indonesia have not won the Cup since the first staging of the event.

(China Daily via Reuters June 15, 2007)