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.