There will be a new champion in the Asian Games men’s team badminton event this year following the exit of Korea at the hands of Japan in the quarterfinals today. Japan, led by world champion Kento Momota, will face host Indonesia in the semi-finals tomorrow.
The other semi-final encounter will see China, the silver medallists four years ago and reigning Thomas Cup champs, squaring off against Chinese Taipei tomorrow. China had outplayed Hong Kong China 3-0 while Chinese Taipei breezed past Nepal with a similar score.
After Kento snatched the opening point from his 21-16, 21-14 win over Son Wan Ho, 21-14, Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda kept up the pressure and reeled in the second point. Things were clearly looking good for Japan as Kenta Nishimoto took to the court. Heo Kwang Hee showed a lot of determination in the first game but eventually lost 21-19. Kenta did not hold back and romped away to a 21-9 win to end Korea’s run and set the stage for their own assault on the title.
After missing out on the gold the last time around, China have their own plans to get it right this year. Although they were not severely tested today, China had sufficient firepower to gun down their opponents and cause some concern with their rivals. Shi Yuqi got the show on the road against Ng Ka Long Angus before Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen added a second point after beating Tang Chun Man-Yeung Ming Nok.
Chen Long trooped on confidently next but it took him a while to tame Wong Wing Ki Vincent and assure China their place in the last four tomorrow. Chen Long won 21-13, 21-14.
Indonesia had a rocking start and the home crowd responded with thunderous applause for their heroes. Anthony Sinisuka Ginting stumbled somewhat but went on to overcome Srikanth Kidambi 23-21, 20-22, 21-10 and more importantly earn the first point.
No. 1 ranked Marcus Fenaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo also faced stiff opposition from their rivals, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty. But after dropping the first game bounced back to make 2-0. Any hopes of a quick finish fizzled out when Jonatan Christie crashed to HS Prannoy.
India’s hopes of winning the next game and remain in contention would be an uphill task as Manu Attri-Sumeeth Reddy, ranked No. 18, were up against the No. 9 ranked Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto. The Indonesians, true to form, won 21-14, 21-18 to the delight of the team and fans.
Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei easily collected three points from Nepal thanks to victories from singles players, Chou Tien Chen, Wang Tzu Wei and Hsu Jen Hao.
MEN’S TEAM QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
Indonesia bt India 3-1
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting bt Srikanth Kidambi 23-21, 20-22, 21-10
Marcus Fenaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo bt Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 19-21, 21-19, 21-16
Jonatan Christie lost to H.S. Prannoy 15-21, 21-19, 19-21
Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto bt Manu Attri-Sumeeth Reddy 21-14, 21-18
Japan bt Korea 3-0
Kento Momota bt Son Wan Ho 21-16, 21-14
Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda bt Min Hyuk Kang-Kim Wan Ho 21-13, 21-13
Kenta Nishimoto bt Heo Kwang Hee 21-19, 21-9
Chinese Taipei bt Nepal 3-0
Chou Tien Chen vs Ratnajit Tamang 21-16, 21-13
Wang Tzu Wei vs Dipesh Dhami 21-5, 21-14
Hsu Jen Hao vs Nabin Shrestha 21-10, 21-11
China bt Hong Kong China 3-0
Shi Yuqi vs Ng Ka Long Angus 21-15, 21-11
Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen vs Tang Chun Man-Yeung Ming Nok 21-13, 21-13
Chen Long vs Wong Wing Ki Vincent 21-13, 21-14
SEMIFINAL MATCH-UPS
Men
China vs Chinese Taipei
Japan vs Indonesia
Women
China vs Thailand
Indonesia vs Japan
