Defending champions China will face Hong Kong China in the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships quarter-finals – giving the first-time hosts rather an easy path to the semi-finals and stay on course for their ninth title since the inception of the event in 2006.Ā
China seeded second, topped Group D after a 5-0 win over Singapore this morning in their final group match. Singapore too advanced to the knockout stage, having beaten Nepal 5-0 in the three-team group.
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In the quarter-final draw made at the end of the preliminary round matches at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Center in Suzhou on Sunday top seedsĀ Indonesia topped Group A with a 4-1 win over Japan in their final group match and will battle India runners-up in Group C.
The other quarter-finals matches will be between Group C champions Korea with a 4-1 win over India. The Koreans will face Singapore for a place in the semi-finals.Ā
Japan, runners-up to China at the last edition in Bintaro, Jakarta finished second in Group A after a 4-1 defeat to Indonesia and was drawn to play Thailand in the last eight.
Quotes
“We have an easy draw and we are confident of beating Singapore. The semi-final is ours for the taking,” said Kim Hak Yun, Korean head coach.
“We are top seeds but this is the quarter-finals. I will say it will be a 50-50 affair against India. India has shown good form in the group matches to reach the knockout stage,” David Yedija Pohan, Indonesia team manager.
“It is best said it neither an easy draw nor a good draw for us. We have to be our best if we want to stay alive in the tournament,” Japan coach Lee Wan Wah
“There is nothing much to say on the draw. Thailand will have to face Japan and we have to play the right strategies if we want to make the semis. It will be touch and go affair,” Thailand coach Nitipong Saengsila.
“We are drawn against the top seeds who are one of the favorites in the tournament. India has to accept the draw and go into the match as underdogs. You can accept the best from India,” India coach Sanjay Mishra. –Ā Badminton Asia
QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Indonesia versus India
Korea versus Singapore
Japan versus Thailand
China versus Hong Kong China
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