Chinese shuttlers pulled off impressive play in ousting Indonesia with an unexpected 5-0 victory in the crucial Group A match, ensuring a berth for quarter-finals and sending the host team to play-off session in the Thomas Cup qualifying round Monday in Jakarta.

Both teams sent their best lineups, knowing that a defeat could force them to have early confrontation with third seed Malaysia in the quarter-final stage. In 56-year Thomas Cup history, only the three countries have ever won the men's world team title.

The match was tight in the beginning when world's number one Lin Dan must grapple with not only Sony Dwi Kuncoro's fierce resistance, but also the discouraging atmosphere with noisy crowd supporting the host player.

Sony demonstrated an incredible spirit when he fought back to grab Lin's game point to his at 16-14. But the more experienced All England champion would not let Sony do any better and clinched the opening game 17-16.

The all-out but disappointing first game was possibly the main reason for an underperformed Sony in the second set, when he surrendered 3-15, extending Lin's lead to 4-1 in head-to-head matches against the Indonesian.

World's number two Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng seemed unaffected by the noisy crowd when playing Indonesian duo Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven Yulianto. With many unforced errors and was often off-balance, Luluk became the weak link and the Chinese young guns bombarded him with powerful smashes and won the game 15-9, 15-10.

The crowd went wild when came Indonesian idol Taufik Hidayat toplay Bao Chunlai in the deciding game. Chinese manager Li Yong Bo,who said earlier that the Indonesian clash would be crucial, did not assign world's number two Chen Hong, who never won over Taufikin their last five battles.

Bao did his job perfectly and silenced the crowd with a 15-13, 15-6 victory over the Asian champion.

Chinese second doubles Sang Yang/Zheng Bo defeated Candra Wijaya/Tri Kusharjanto 15-13, 2-15, 15-11 in the nearly empty BungKarno Badminton Hall, as mostly disappointing supporters already left.

Indonesia's new star Simon Santosa, another debutant in his team, did his best to challenge reigning world champion Xia Xuanzebut finally gave up 11-15, 4-15 after midnight Tuesday.

The 13-time champion Indonesia must overcome weak New Zealand in Tuesday's playoff before challenging archrival Malaysia in the quarter-final stage.