Top seeds China, Indonesia to battle for the prestigious team gold
*Credit Image Indosports
Four years on, China will have the chance to make up for their failure and try for the gold medal after brushing aside Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the semi-finals of the Asian Games men’s badminton team event at the Istora Senayan. But standing in their way of glory are hosts Indonesia which sealed a stunning 3-1 win over Japan in the other semi-final battle tonight.
China, beaten by Korea in the 2014 final in Incheon, were stunned when Shi Yuqi, ranked No. 2 in the world, fell to Chou Tien Chen 21-13, 21-19. Shi Yuqi was just off the mark and created mistakes that led to Chinese Taipei taking the lead.
China, the reigning Thomas Cup champs and the topseeds here, looked like they were in trouble when Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen dropped the first game 19-21 to Chen Hung Ling-Wang Chi-Lin. The Chinese pair however quickly recovered, found their rhythm and wrapped things up by winning the next two games 21-12, 21-9 and level the score.
The Chinese side had concerned looks on their faces when superstar Chen Long, ranked seventh, went down to Wang Tzu Wei 18-21 in the opening game. It was a roller-coaster tie as Chen Long battled from from behind to take the lead, only to fall back again. Stung by the loss, Chen Long fought back and romped to a 8-1 lead before going on to win 21-13. There was some opposition from Tzu Wei which Chen Long put down to win 21-17.
Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan ensured China’s place in the final with a relatively easy 21-13, 21-17 result over Lee Jhe Huei-Lee Yang. Once again, four-time world champion, Lin Dan, who is playing the third singles, did not have to take to the court.
In the other semis tie, world champion Kento Momota received rude shock when Anthony Ginting turned in a massive display to snatch an early 21-14 lead. Momota was sharper and created less mistakes to level the tie with a similar score. Anthony, to his credit, made every effort to challenge Momota but it was just not enough against his experienced opponent. Momota won the decider to claim the first point for Japan.
As it turned out, that was the only point Japan, the Thomas Cup runners-up, would have. Marcus Fenaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo were in fiery form and completely outgunned Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda 21-18, 21-12. Inspired by his teammates, Jonatan Christie also came on strong and blasted Kenta Nishimoto 21-15, 21-19.
The Indonesian fans could almost taste victory when Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto stepped up. And they certainly did not disappoint and whipped Takuto Inoue-Yuki Kaneka 21-10, 21-10 to book their place in the final.
Jonatan attributed the team’s success to the fans. “The fans play influenced and inspired me to deliver my best today. It was a tough game and I was happy to have won.”
Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo was thrilled with their performance and explained that they were prepared for the match today. “We learnt from our earlier mistakes and we worked hard to prepare for this match. It’s a great win for us.”
MEN’S TEAM SEMIFINAL RESULTS
Indonesia bt Japan 3-1
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting lost to Kento Momota 21-14, 14-21, 16-21
Marcus Fenaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo bt Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda 21-18, 21-12
Jonatan Christie bt Kenta Nishimoto 21-15, 21-19
Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto bt Takuto Inoue-Yuki Kaneka 21-10, 21-10
China bt Chinese Taipei 3-1
Shi Yuqi lost to Chou Tien Chen 13-21, 19-21
Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen bt Chen Hung Ling-Wang Chi-Lin 19-21, 21-12, 21-9
Chen Long bt Wang Tzu Wei 18-21, 21-13, 21-17
Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan bt Lee Jhe Huei-Lee Yang 21-13, 21-17
FINAL MATCH-UPS
Men: Indonesia vs China
Women: Japan vs China
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