ASIAN GAMES 2010 Day 1 – Indonesia, Korea, China and Thailand to scoop all medals

Day One of the badminton team competition proved that 4 nations were above all others. Thailand, China, Korea and Indonesia clinched all the semi-final spots in both the men’s and women’s team events. Malaysia suffers a big blow with no possible team medal any more while India and Japan failed to produce any upsets.

Raphael Sachetat, live from Guangzhou.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

Double blow for India, Japan, Malaysia

India had been shining in their home Commonwealth Games, taking the silver in the mixed team event along with 2 individual golds.  Things didn’t go as smoothly this time for the Indians in Guangzhou.  Even if Saina Nehwal and the duo of Gutta/Ponnappa got their points, it wasn’t enough to beat Indonesia who won 3-2 in the morning session of the women’s team competition and qualified for the quarter-finals.  A few hours later, the Indonesians were back with the same line-up. As the saying goes, one must not change a winning team. And once again, Adriyanti Firdasari, Maria Febe Kusumastuti and the duo of Polii/Jauhari were fielded.  This time, there was no need to go any further as the Indonesians stunned the third seeds from Chinese Taipei 3-0.

As if the men’s team blow wasn’t bad enough news for Malaysia, the women’s team went down as well in the evening session – the quarter-final tie – against Korea. The loss was somehow more expected from Malaysia’s ladies, deprived from their winning duo of Wong/Chin. It was then difficult to count on beating a team like Korea, full of confidence. Indonesia will now meet Thailand while Korea will face the mighty Chinese, who didn’t have to play on Day One because of the withdrawal from Macau.  Some of the players apparently hadn’t had their residency long enough on the island to compete.

Tago wins, Japan loses

After the defeat of Japan by Thailand in the women’s team event, Japan’s boys had at heart to shine and try to clinch a medal. And Kenichi Tago played a wonderful match to defeat Park Sung Hwan, setting Japan on the right track. But Jung Jae Sung – called here Chung Jae Sung as this is the actual real name written on his passport – and Lee Yong Dae wouldn’t let Japan stay in the lead for too long.   It was the same fate for Yamada Kazushi, who had a good opportunity to beat Hong Ji Hoon but the latter banked on his experience and won 21-17 in the decider. The next doubles was a delight to watch with Ko and Yoo opposed to Hayakawa and the first game was an amazing run for the money, one team saving one game point after the other until the Koreans finally clinched it 27-25. The second game was a little quicker with a final win 21-15 and depriving the excited crowd of a fifth and final exciting match between Sho Sasaki and Lee Hyun Il.

The crowd had been already quite supportive with Chinese Taipei against Indonesia, but the usual Thomas Cup semi-finalists showed once again their strength. Taufik took a game to warm up and won the two next against Hsieh Yu Hsing. The expected clash between in-form Lee/Fang and Kido-Setiawan only lasted one game as the second game was suspenseless with a clear 21-9 win from the Indonesians after they had won the opener 21-19. Simon Santoso closed the deal in three games, sending Indonesia to the semi-final against China, who beat Hong Kong quite easily in three singles matches only – all in straight games.

Korea, on their end, might have to prepare differently from their expectations as they will take on Thailand instead of Malaysia in the other semi-final.

For complete Day One results, CLICK HERE