Cheam June Wei recognised Indonesia as the obvious stumbling block in Malaysia’s hopes of topping Group A of the Thomas Cup.

Malaysia were pitted against the 13-time champions, along with European nations Netherlands and England, for the biennial team event in a draw done on Monday.

The Uber Cup, meanwhile, saw Malaysia housed in a competitive Group B alongside South Korea, Indonesia and Australia.

The national contingent are odds on favourites to make the Thomas Cup last eight alongside Indonesia, but the battle to finish as group champions will be a tall order.

Cheam, who was the only shuttler to nick a point against Indonesia in the final of the Asia Team Championships in February, acknowledged the Asian powerhouse.

“They are well balanced in the men’s singles, and they have a world top two pairing in the men’s doubles. They will be our toughest opponents in the group, and we must prepare for any type of situation.

“We will be analysing their game on video, and I am sure they will too. For me, preparation has already started,” Cheam told Stadium Astro.

Indonesia knocked out Malaysia 3-1 in the last eight of the 2018 edition, with only Lee Chong Wei contributing a point with a straight-set victory over Anthony Ginting.

National coaching director Wong Chong Hann set a top four target for the Thomas Cup contingent.

“We also want to finish in the top eight of the Uber Cup. Though it is a challenge due to our rank, this will be the best platform for our players to prove that we are an improving unit ready to challenge any team in the world,” he said.

Indonesia trained consistently throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, and recently hosted an internal meet to keep their shuttlers in competitive mode.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) also initiated their own internal meet scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Other Thomas Cup draws saw defending champions China in Group B along with Chinese Taipei, Australia and France.

Denmark and India should qualify from Group C that also has Germany and Algeria, while Group D was billed the group of death with Japan, South Korea and Thailand vying for a last eight slot.