ASIAN GAMES 2018 Men’s Team Final – No more silver for China team

After settling for silver at the Asian Championships and in the women’s team event in Jakarta, China refused to suffer another upset and came away with Asian Games men’s team gold.

Story: Naomi Indartiningrum, Badzine Correspondent live in Jakarta
Photos: Raphael Sachetat  / Badmintonphoto (live)

Not wanting to be in the same boat with the women’s team, the Chinese men badminton team came out firing in the final of the 2018 Asian Games. Appearing in full force, the Chinese team did not even need the services of two-time men’s singles gold medallist Lin Dan as they silenced hosts Indonesia, with a 3-1 aggregate score.

Still, Shi Yuqi, who appeared as the opening act, encountered difficulties when facing Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (pictured). Supported by thousands of host supporters, Ginting actually won the first game 21-14. But a foot injury forced the 22-year-old to give up at the end of the 3rd game when he was definitly still within striking distance, trailing Shi only 20-21.

Unfortunately, the advantage for China did not last long. In the second match, World Champions Li Junhui / Liu Yuchen were forced to concede the superiority of Indonesia’s Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo / Marcus Fernaldi Gideon (pictured below).  The world #1 – who have not lost to Li and Liu in nearly 3 years – prevailed by a score of 21-17, 21-18.

China almost had to concede another point when Chen Long had trouble fighting Jonatan Christie (pictured below). Chen appeared below his usual performance. Several times the defense of the Olympic gold medallist was easily penetrated by Christie. Luckily for the Olympic champion, at the end of the 3rd game, Christie lost his focus and Chen managed to finish the rubber game 21-18.

If their current World Champions fell just short, victory of 2017 champions Zhang Nan / Liu Cheng (pictured bottom) over Fajar Alfian / Muhammad Rian secured for China the men’s team gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games. In a tight three-game match, Liu/Zhang managed to avenge the upset they suffered at the hands of the Indonesians during the recent Indonesia Open.

“We have studied the game of this doubles pair [Alfian/Ardianto] and we have also prepared well. It’s good because we were able to finish the match well,” said Zhang Nan after the match.

With this result, the Chinese Team won the gold medal in the men’s team, followed by Indonesia with silver, while Japan and Chinese Taipei finished with bronze.  In the women’s team event, it was Japan with gold while China had to settle for silver. Indonesia and Thailand both won bronze.

Draws for the individual events were completed on Wednesday, before the team finals, with play in all five disciplines on Thursday, August 23rd.  Two team gold medallists, Shi Yuqi and Fukushima/Hirota, are top seeds for the individual events, with the addition of mixed doubles top seed Zheng Siwei, who was a member of the gold medal-winning men’s team, even though he did not end up being selected for any of the ties.

Men’s team final result:  China 3, Indonesia 1
MS1:  Shi Yuqi (CHN) beat Anthony Ginting (INA)  14-21, 23-21, 21-20 [Retired]
MD1:  Li Junhui / Liu Yuchen (CHN) lost to Marcus Fernaldi Gideon / Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA)  17-21, 18-21
MS2:  Chen Long (CHN) beat Jonatan Christie (INA)  19-21, 21-16, 21-18
MD2:  Liu Cheng / Zhang Nan (CHN) beat Fajar Alfian / Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INA)  21-18, 17-21, 21-18
MS3:  Lin Dan (CHN) vs. Ihsan Maulana Mustofa (INA)  [not played]

Click here for complete results