South Korea hopes for miracle against China

South Korea hopes for miracle against China

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Guangzhou, China

Host China must defend its women's team Uber Cup trophy it has
held since 1998, otherwise it will suffer another humiliation on
home turf after their male compatriots were denied a final berth
in the Thomas Cup following a 3-1 upset by Malaysia on Thursday.

The Chinese girls team will take on the South Koreans on
Saturday in a rematch of their Group B qualifying round, in which
China won 4-1.

Both Asian powerhouses in women's badminton are set to meet in
another clash of the titans.

After chalking up a perfect win over Japan and newcomer
Germany, China could almost do the same against the Koreans in
the group matches.

The only loss was conceded by the pairing of Wei Yili and
Zhang Jiewen to Lee Hyo-jung and Hwang Yu-mi.

Meanwhile, South Korea defeated Germany and Japan, each with a
4-1 victory.

Against Germany, third singles Shin Ja-young appeared to be
the only loser, as was Ra Kyung-Min in Japan's encounter.

China proved to be the stronger side at the semifinals stage
as the Chinese shuttlers took a commanding lead of 3-0 by
defeating Hong Kong on Wednesday.

All the victories were contributed by its three singles
shuttlers of world No. 2 Zhou Mi, who defeated former compatriot
Wang Chen 3-0, world No. 4 Gong Ruina, who beat Ling Wan Ting 3-1
and world No. 5 Dai Yun, who crushed Louisa Wai Chee Koon 3-0.

In other semifinal action, South Korea had a tough match
against new powerhouse the Netherlands before winding it down to
a 3-2 victory.

First singles Mia Audina Tjiptawan fought from behind before
beating Kim Kyeung-ran 2-3.

South Korea equalized the point 1-1 when Lee Kyung-won
defeated Judith Meulendijks in the second match 3-1.

The Dutch chalked up another lead when the second doubles of
Mia Audina and Lotte Jonathans defeated Ra Kyung-min and Kim
Kyeung-ran 3-1 in the third match.

Third singles Kwon Hee-sook defeated Brenda Beenhakker to
break the 2-2 tie in the fourth match with a 3-1 win.

Kwon won the first two games 7-5, 7-4 but gave the third 4-7
to Beenhakker.

Kwon prolonged Korea's chances for the semifinals with a 7-3
win in the fourth game.

In the decider, Lee Hyo-jung and Hwang Yu-mi crushed the
Dutchwomen's dream for their first ever appearance at the final
stage of the Uber Cup by outclassing Meulendijks and Karina de
Wit 3-0.

Over the 18 Uber Cup contests staged since its inception in
1956, China has held the title seven times. They first claimed it
in 1984 from Japan and defended it until 1992. Indonesia held the
Cup two times consecutively in 1994 and 1996 before giving it up
to China. Indonesia's first win was in 1974.

The South Koreans, on the other hand, grabbed the final three
times in 1988, 1990 and 1992. And then they lost to China.

Considering the present shuttlers lineup, only a miracle can
help the South Koreans win their first ever Uber Cup.

The final match will be aired live by private television
station ^Trans TV^Y on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Jakarta time.