Thailand fall to S Korea in Sudirman Cup
South Korea book final berth in mixed team event as Ratchanok falters in must-win singles battle
>> Thailand’s bid for their first ever final appearance in the biennial Sudirman Cup has once again been thwarted by old nemesis South Korea.
The Koreans yesterday won the semi-final clash 3-1 for their third successive victory against Thailand in the world mixed team championships.
South Korea beat Thailand by the same scoreline in the 2013 semi-finals. They also defeated the Kingdom’s stars in the first round in 2005.
They will face either defending champions China or Japan in today’s final at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia.
With the score at 2-1 in South Korea’s favour, all hopes rested on Ratchanok Intanon to win her women’s singles and push the tie to the fifth and decisive women’s doubles just as she did against Denmark on Thursday.
But the world No.11 Thai was unable to find any answers to Sung Ji-Hyun’s consistency and superior fitness and the Korean world No.4 had little trouble in winning the encounter 21-13, 21-17 in 46 minutes to seal a place in the final for her team.
Sung also beat Ratchanok in the quarter-finals of the India Open in March.
In-form mixed doubles stars and world No.9 Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai got Thailand off to a great start after beating Choi Sol-Gyu and Chae Yoo-Jung 21-16, 21-12.
Suppanyu Avihingsanon, replacing Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk in the men’s singles event, put on a brave performance against new world No.1 Son Wan-Ho, who only reached the summit when the latest world rankings were released on Thursday, before losing 21-18, 10-21, 17-21.
Bodin Isara and Dechapol then lost the crucial men’s doubles tie against first-time pairing of Choi and Seo Seung-Jae 13-21, 16-21.
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, was full of praise for the team despite the defeat.
“The coaching team and the athletes deserve praise for their efforts in the tournament. They gave their all today,” said Patama.
“Although we finished third again this time, the result is beyond our expectations. We lost but we can hold our heads high because everyone did their best for the team and the country.”
Each member of the Thai team will receive 400,000 baht from the National Sports Development Fund, on top of a two-million-baht cash award from Patama’s own pocket.