Jose Maria Olazabal predicted another pulsating Medinah-style finish as the draw for the final session of the Royal Trophy took shape.
Olazabal held back three of his most experienced players to fill the last three spots in his singles line-up, saying the outcome could go right down to the wire.
That has been the case at the last two Royal Trophy editions, and at the Ryder Cup in Medinah, when Olazabal masterminded a stunning final day fight-back.
Europe are a point ahead at 4 ½ - 3 ½ yesterday. But their player-captain senses the momentum may have swung Asia's way after they triumphed 3-1 in the fourball session, without losing a match.
"To be honest I think if things go like they should, this is going to go down to the last few matches.
"It is going to be crucial how my players in those two of three matches hold their ground, that is why I placed more experienced players there.
"Francesco Molinari played against Tiger Woods in the final match last time and got an excellent half point, so he was a good choice to go out last again.
"Henrik Stenson has played in the Royal Trophy five times now, and he has made the winning putt a couple of times, just as he did in the Ryder Cup.
"He is also in good form after winning a tournament last month, just as Miguel Angel Jimenez did, so they were also chosen to play at the back of the field.
"We know we will have to play really well to get the job done tomorrow.
But if the matches are close as I expect, it is going to be important to have men who have seen it all before in those last two or three matches."
Asian Captain Joe Ozaki was buzzing after his team's fourball performance - especially after the Korean duo of YE Yang and KT Kim registered a tremendous victory in the match he identified as a must-win, against Stenson and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
Ozaki cheekily tried to add to the pressure on his opposite number by suggesting the key match in the Singles was the first one out - featuring Olazabal against Korea's Bae Sang-moon.
"All the matches are important - but especially match number one!
"I am very glad that all my players did very well today. Our goal was to get as many points as possible from the session, and I am very happy with the results."
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/16/olazabal-prepares-for-another-nail-biter/
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