Kingdom’s challenge fizzles out in quarter-finals
Thailand crashed out of the Asia Team Championships after a one-sided defeat in the quarter-finals in Malaysia yesterday. The women’s team were beaten 3-1 by China while the men’s team fell to South Korea by the same scoreline at Stadium Sultan Abdul Halim yesterday.
In the women’s event, Chen Yufei, Dong Wenjing and Feng Xueying and Cao Tong Wei and Yu Zheng won their matches to send the Chinese team into the last four of the competition, where they will meet South Korea today.
Pornpawee Chochuwong won the only point for Thailand.
Chen set the tone for the Chinese with a battling performance as she edged past Nitchaon Jindapol 19-21, 21-14, 21-14 in the opening singles. Dong and Feng made it 2-0 to the Chinese after defeating Chayanit Chaladchalom and Phataimas Muenwong 21-16, 23-21.
Pornpawee revived Thailand’s hopes with a 21-13, 18-21, 25-23 victory over He Bingjiao but Cao and Yu put the tie beyond Thailand’s reach after beating Savitree Amitrapai and Pacharapun Chochuwong in a three-game thriller 19-21, 21-19, 21-14.
South Korea, spearheaded by world No.6 Sung Ji-Hyun, knocked out hosts Malaysia 3-0.
Japan defeated Taiwan 3-0 and will meet Indonesia, who beat India 3-1, in the semis.
In the men’s event, Son Wan-Ho quickly put the Koreans ahead with a 21-15, 21-12 win over Khosit Phetpradap in the first singles.
Kittinupong Kedren and Dechapol Puavaranukroh levelled the tie with a 21-16, 15-21, 21-16 defeat of Kim Won-Ho and Seo Seung-Jae in the doubles.
However, Suppanyu Avihingsanon lost to Jeon Hyeok-Jin 15-21, 21-14 as South Korea took a 2-1 lead before Tinn Isriyanet and Kittisak Namdash were beaten by Choi Sol-Gyu and Kim Duk-Young in three games.
The Koreans meet Indonesia, who beat Japan 3-0, in the semis.
In the top half of the draw, Malaysia, who beat Hong Kong 3-0, await the winners of the tie between China and India.