China exacts revenge on Korea to reach Sudirman Cup final
China exacts revenge on Korea to reach Sudirman Cup final
Agencies, Beijing
Badminton powerhouse China is the strong favorite to lift the
prestigious Sudirman Cup for the fifth time on Sunday when it
meets Indonesia in the final of the world mixed team
championships.
The host nation booked its spot in the final with a convincing
3-0 win over South Korea on Saturday at Beijing's Capital
Gymnasium following Indonesia's 3-0 sweep of Denmark in the other
semifinal.
After coming through three group ties, including a 5-0 win
over Indonesia, and the semifinal, China has yet to lose a match
in any of them.
The semifinal win was sweet revenge for China after a shock
loss to the Koreans in the 2003 Sudirman Cup final in Eindhoven.
Indonesia won the inaugural edition of the biennial tournament
in 1989 in Jakarta, and has since been the runner-up on four
occasions.
China took home the trophy in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001. The
only other country to win the title is South Korea, which
triumphed in 1991, 1993 and two years ago.
Few would bet against China adding 2005 to its Sudirman Cup
winning list given the way its players have played so far this
week.
Zhang Jun and Gao Ling, mixed doubles gold medalists at the
Athens Olympics, opened China's account against two-time winners
South Korea, with a fiercely fought 15-11, 11-15, 15-8 win over
Lee Jae-Jin and Lee Hyo-Jung.
Zhang's powerful overhead smashes proved the difference
between the two pairs.
Lin Dan then demonstrated why he is the world number one men's
singles player with a 15-9, 15-11 victory over Jang Young-Soo.
Zhang Ning, the women's world number two, cemented China's
place in the final with an 11-2, 11-1 demolition of Lee Yun-Hwa
to spark the celebrations.
"This victory was within my expectation," said China head
coach Li Yongbo. "We didn't consider ourselves the favorites
before the start of the tournament so we prepared very hard for
this."
Asked whether his shuttlers could sweep Indonesia once again,
he said: I hope so, but we are prepared for a very difficult
game."
While China will be seeking to take back the Sudirman Cup, the
event has special meaning for Indonesia, as it is named after the
"country's father of badminton. Soedirman (1922-86) founded and
led the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), including
during the heyday of Indonesian players in major international
competitions in the 1960s and 1970s.