*Chong Wei loses to Chen Long again
ANY hopes of Malaysia fighting for the gold medal in the men’s team event in the 17th Asian Games badminton competition disappeared when Datuk Lee Chong Wei failed to beat Chen Long in the first singles as China defeated Malaysia 3-0 in the semi-finals at the Gyenyang Gymnasium on Monday.
While Malaysia settled for the bronze medal, China will play hosts South Korea for the gold medal after the Koreans made short-work of Taiwan in the other semi-final.
In a repeat of the World Championships final, Chen Long, beat Chong Wei 21-17,19-21, 21-11 in an 80 minute battle. Chen Long defeated Chong Wei 21-19, 21-19 in Copenhagen to win the world title. After 19 meetings the Chinese ace now leads 10-9 in the head to head count.
There was some hope of stretching the mighty Chinese, who are still reeling from their shock 3-0 defeat to Japan in the Thomas Cup semifinal in New Delhi in May. However Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How failed to last the pace after winning the first set 21-14 against Xu Chen-Zhang Nan. The Malaysian pair eventually lost the next two set 21-15, 21-10 in 58 minutes to give China a 2-0 lead.
Chinese ‘superstar’ teased and toyed with Chong Wei Feng in the second singles to win 21-11, 21-12 in the 41 minutes to hand China an unassailable 3-0 lead and a place in the final.
The Koreans got off to a flying start when Son Wan-ho defeated Chou Tieng Chen 21-12, 21-17 win in the first singles. Yoo Yeonseong-Lee Yong Dae outplayed Tsai Chia Hsin-Lee Sheng Mu 21-10, 21-13 in the first doubles to give Korea 2-0 lead. Lee Dongkeun defeated Hsu Jun Hao 21-12, 21-18 for the winning point.
BADMINTON RESULTS
MEN’S TEAM SEMI-FINALS
CHINA 3 MALAYSIA 0
Chen Long beat Datuk Lee Chong Wei 21-17, 19-21, 21-11
Lin Dan beat Chong Wei Feng 21-11, 21-12
Chen Yu-Zhang Nan beat Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How 14-21, 21-15, 21-10
SOUTH KOREA 3 TAIWAN 0
Son Won-ho beat Chou Tien Chen 21-12, 21-17
Lee Dongkeun beat Hsu Jen Hao 21-12, 21-18
Yoo Yeonseong-Lee Yong Dae beat Tsai Chia Hsin-Lee Sehng Mu 21-10, 21-13
