TUC ASIA – Big Guns Advance to Semi-final

By Gerald Jew, live from Thailand. Photos (archives) : Badmintonphoto

On a day that had huge political ramifications involving a court verdict announcement that threatened to send Thailand into civil unrest, the Thailand men’s team was eliminated. The women’s team was virtually eliminated, and will play in Sunday’s fifth place match against Chinese Taipei. Thailand was playing without most of their top players due to their recent withdrawal from Badminton Association of Thailand over contract and other internal association issues.

The Indonesian men’s team advanced to tonight’s final with a 3-0 victory over Japan. With the exception of a relatively easy 21-18, 21-11 win by Sony Dwi Kuncoro over Japan’s Sho Sasaki in the third and final match, the first two matches in the semi-final were close, hard-fought matches that sent a scare into the Indonesian fans in attendance.

Taufik Hidayat squeaked by with a 21-16, 21-23, 21-18 victory over Japan’s Kenichi Tago in the first match between the two teams. Hidayat fell behind 3-9 early in the third game before finally evening the match at 12-12 and struggled slightly before finally putting Tago away at the end.  Markis Kido and Alvent Yulianto Chandra overcame Hirokatsu Hashimoto and Noriyasu Hirata in a tough two-game match, with the Indonesian team winning 21-17, 21-19.

In the other Thomas Cup semi-final, the Korean men had a relatively easy 3-1 win over India to advance to Saturday evening’s final against Indonesia. Park Sung Hwan started off the victory with a 21-16, 21-17 win over Kashyap Parupalli.

The only loss Korea suffered was the 21-13, 22-20 victory by Arvind Bhat over Shon Wan Ho. Jung Jae Sung playing with Hwang Ji Man instead of his usual cohort, Lee Yong Dae, who is not at the tournament, won in a two-game match over Sanave Thomas and Akshay Dewalker 21-10, 22-20.

The Thomas Cup play will be completed Saturday evening with Indonesia and Korea competing  to determine the Asia Zone winner of the Thomas Cup, Korea and Japan will play for the third confirmed spot at the Thomas Cup finals in Malaysia in May.

The Indonesian women’s team had an easier road than their male compatriots as they advanced to the semi-finals with a 4-1 victory over Korea in their Uber Cup match.

Indonesia will face India and Korea, led by surprise Malaysia Open runner-up Bae Youn Joo (pictured top), will take on Japan in Saturday’s Uber Cup semi-finals.  The Uber Cup finals will be completed on Sunday.

Results HERE