Malaysia qualifies for Uber Cup finals
Malaysia qualifies for Uber Cup finals
Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia qualified for the finals of badminton's prestigious
Uber Cup after beating India 4-1 in their final preliminary group
match here Friday.
The win marked the first time Malaysia's women have reached
the finals of the tournament on merit, following previous
appearances in 1992 and 2000 when they qualified as hosts.
Malaysia however faces an uphill task in the semifinal of
Asian qualifiers later Friday as they will be up against South
Korea, whereas the other semis sees Japan play Taiwan. All four
teams have qualified for the Uber Cup.
Malaysia went 1-0 ahead when Southeast Asian Games gold
medalist Wong Mew Choo defeated 1998 Commonwealth Games silver
medalist Aparna Popat 11-9, 11-2.
Wong Pei Tty and Chin Eei Hui gave Malaysia a 2-0 lead by
defeating Kurian Shruti and Jwala Gutta 15-5, 15-12.
India had its backs against the wall and Meenakshi BR was
helpless to save the match as she lost to Woon Sze Mei 9-11, 9-11
in 32 minutes.
Though Nazneen Fatima M-Kanwar Manjusha lost to Fong Chew Yen-
Ooi Sock Ai 13-15, 3-15, Murgunde Trupti saved the blushes for
India by defeating Norsyahliza Baharum 11-7, 11-6 in the third
singles.
In another match this morning Japan defeated Hong Kong 4-1 to
ensure that it topped Group A and avoids meeting South Korea in
the last four.
On Thursday, China booked its place in the men's Thomas Cup
finals in May after defeating Thailand 4-1, to join South Korea,
Japan and host Malaysia in the last four.
China was given a rude awakening when Boonsak Polsana defeated
world number one Chen Hong 8-15, 15-12, 15-11 in the first
singles, the first time the Thai had got the better of Chen Hong.
However Thailand missed the chance of pulling off mighty upset
when its top doubles pair, Sudket Prapakamol-Patapol Ngernsrisuk,
lost to Cai Yun and Fu Hai Feng 15-11, 15-5.
China went on to win the second singles through Lin Dan, who
was stretched to three games before overcoming Thiraya
Laohathaimongkol 11-15, 15-1, 15-4.
Doubles pair Sang Yang and Zheng Bo gave China the winning
point when they defeated Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana
Panvisvas 8-15, 15-13, 15-13 while Bao Chun Lai defeated Adisak
Wirayapadungpong 15-5, 16-14 to complete the win.
Japan struggled to a 3-2 win over Singapore with Roland Susilo
giving the islanders a perfect start with a 15-7, 15-4 win over
Shoji Sato.
Malaysia may have beaten Hong Kong 4-1 but the defeat of its
top doubles pair Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah at the hands of
Liu Kok Wa and Albertus Susanto 15-8, 13-15, 13-15 raised some
eyebrows on their form.
South Korea was just too strong for India and powered to an
easy 5-0 win to book its place in the last four.
Earlier, Iran defeated Macau 5-0 while Chines Taipei
registered the same margin of victory over Vietnam.
In the semi finals on Saturday South Korea plays Malaysia
while Japan will take on China.