KUNSHAN (China): Malaysia got the draw they wished for in the knockout stage of the Thomas Cup Finals in Kunshan.

The Malaysian side not only avoid hosts China until the final, but are put in a relatively easier half of the quarter-final draw.

Lee Chong Wei and Co will entertain Taiwan in the quarter-final on Thursday and should have no problems reaching the semi-finals on Friday.

Together in the same half are Japan and Denmark.

In the top half, China will face South Korea while Indonesia have to fight it out with Hong Kong for a spot in the semi-finals.

Japan, weakened with the absence of singles stalwarts Kento Momota and Kenichi Tago, fell 0-5 to China in their final Group A tie.

Malaysia will relish a semi-final meeting with the Danes, having beaten them 3-1 in the quarter-final at the 2014 edition in New Delhi, India.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost Hansen was all smiles after the draw ceremony.

“It's a very nice draw for us. South Korea is the team everybody wants to avoid but they are not in our half of the draw.

“It's great that we do not have to worry about China until the final. I am quietly confident that we can go all the way but let's not think too far ahead. We will take it one match, one tie at a time,” said the Dane.

In the Uber Cup, defending champions China received a relatively easy route to the final with Taiwan, Thailand and India in the top half of the draw.

South Korea have been pitted in the tougher bottom half with Japan, Denmark and Indonesia.