BADMINTON England today followed up Team England's Sudirman Cup victory over Japan yesterday by confirming that the two teams will meet again in two international matches in October.

Team England, who are supported by Center Parcs, will play Japan in mid-October before the two squads head for the Denmark Open Super Series event in Odense from October 20-25.

But first England have the chance to avenge their European Team final 3-2 defeat in Liverpool when they face Denmark tomorrow in the fifth-place play-off in Guangzhou. This follows Denmark's 3-2 defeat by Malaysia tonight.

The matches with Japan will, in particular, offer a chance for home fans to salute Nathan Robertson, who yesterday became the 10th England player to win 100 caps - and he celebrated in the best possible way by teaming up with Anthony Clark in men's doubles to clinch Team England's winning lead on the way to a 4-1 victory over Japan.

Darren Parks, Badminton England's Head of Competitions and Events who is in Guangzhou as one of the Badminton World Federation's technical delegates at the Sudirman Cup, secured the two fixtures.

He said today: "We had two successful Team England matches with Poland last season, one in Swindon, the other in Warsaw. Now we are looking forward to the visit from the Japan squad.

"It presents another opportunity to showcase top-class badminton in England and we will announce the dates and venues as soon as possible.

"We will be especially pleased to welcome Japan's team coach Park Joo Bong, who is no stranger to England, having been one of our national coaches a few years ago.

"The plans is for the Japan squad to play two matches in England but also to spend a couple of days training at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes as they prepare for the Denmark and French Opens."

Main picture: The Sudirman Cup team is (back left to right): Nathan Robertson, Andrew Smith, Rajiv Ouseph, Robert Blair, Chris Adcock. Front: Jenny Wallwork, Sarah Walker, Elizabeth Cann, Gabby White. (Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg were about to go on court against Japan so are not pictured)