JAKARTA (19 August 2018) – Host Indonesia claimed a sizzling 3-0 victory over Hong Kong China in the Asian games women’s badminton team event at the Istora Senayan this evening. Playing in front of their home fans clearly fired up the Indonesians who will now face Korea, silver medallists at the last Games, in the quarterfinals tomorrow.
It did not start well for Indonesia but Gregoria Mariska Tunjung came from behind to snatch a dramatic win over Cheung Ngan Yin in the opening singles tie. Gregoria dropped the first game 19-21 but she recovered 21-8 in the second to even things.
With the score at 20-18, Gregoria let loose the stinging shot which hit the tape and trickle over for the winning point. That win stirred up her teammates and they went on to claim next two matches, much to the delight of the fans.
Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu confidently stepped on court and delivered a cracking 21-14, 21-11 win. Hopes faltered for the hosts in the third tie when Fitriani lost the first game 18-21 to Yip Pui Yin. Fitriani, however, kept her cool, took charge of the remaining two games and walked away with the winning point.
It will be a tough game but one that Indonesia, unseeded here, will have the pull out all the stops against the fourth seeded Koreans if they hope to go the distance. A smiling Fitriani said she threw everything she had into the game. “I gave my best and I’m happy we made it to the next stage.”
In the men’s team event this evening, Korea had a flying start when they bagged the first two matches. Son Wan Ho was pushed to the edge by a spirited Kantaphon Wangcharoen but eventually won 24-22, 21-18. Min Hyuk Kang-Kim Wan Ho followed up with a solid performance and defeated Tinn Isriyanet-Kittisak Namdash 21-17, 21-12 to put the score at 2-0.
Korea were counting on Lee Dong Kuen to settle the score but it was not to be. Khosit Phetpradab turned in a fine show and claimed Thailand’s first point, winning 21-9, 21-18.
Choi Solgyu-Seo Seung Jae, however, sealed the Korea’s place in the next round after a straight win over Nipitphon Phuangphuapet-Dechapol Puavaranukroh.
India meanwhile had an easy path to the quarterfinals when they swept past Maldives 3-0 in a match that lasted under one and half hours. K. Srikanth bagged the first point as he hardly raised a sweat against Hussein Zayan Shaheed, winning 21-4, 21-5.
H.S. Prannoy doubled the score with a 21-8, 21-6 victory over Sarim Mohamed. Sai Praneeth sealed it for India and booked their place in the quarters with a 21-7, 21-8 win over Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed. India have the daunting task of battling the hosts and second seeds here, Indonesia tomorrow.
RESULTS (evening session)
MEN’S TEAM
Korea bt Thailand 3-1
Son Wan Ho bt Kantaphon Wangcharoen 24-22, 21-18
Min Hyuk Kang-Kim Wan Ho bt Tinn Isriyanet-Kittisak Namdash 21-17, 21-12
Lee Dong Kuen lost to Khosit Phetpradab 9-21, 18-21
Choi Solgyu-Seo Seung Jae bt Nipitphon Phuangphuapet-Dechapol Puavaranukroh 21-12, 21-17
Maldives lost to India 0-3
Hussein Zayan Shaheed lost Srikanth Kidambi 4-21, 5-21
Sarim Mohamed lost to H.S. Prannoy 8-21, 6-21
Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed lost to Sai Praneeth 7-21, 8-21
Hong Kong China bt Mongolia by walkover
WOMEN’S TEAM
Hong Kong China lost to Indonesia 0-3
Cheung Ngan Yin lost to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 21-19, 8-21, 18-21
Ng Tsz Yau-Yuen Sin Ying lost to Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu 14-21, 11-21
Yip Pui Yin lost Fitriani 21-18, 13-21, 10-21
Quarterfinal match-ups (tomorrow)
Men
China vs Hong Kong China
Chinese Taipei vs Nepal
Korea vs Japan
India vs Indonesia
Women
Japan vs India
Korea vs Indonesia
Chinese Taipei vs Thailand
Maldives vs China
