China Eliminated, S. Korea Progress in Asiad Badminton

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 08, 2002

China Eliminated, S. Korea Progress in Asiad Badminton

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Chinese men's badminton first singles player Lin Dan was vulnerable against Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia when the world number two lost the opening match 12-15, 14-17 in amen's team semi-final match Monday evening.

"The world ranking worked against us because our younger shuttlers have to play first according to the regulation," said Li Yongbo before the games.

All teams have to arrange the order of play according to the world ranking with higher ranked shuttlers coming out first.

As Bao Chunlai, the world number one, was injured, Lin replaced Lin to compete in the first singles match while fourth-ranked veteran Xia Xuanze stood in the second singles.

Lin regretted a lot after the loss, "I did not play at my normal level today because I haven't well adapt myself to the competition."

The second match was hard but sweet for the Chinese as 24-year-old Xia leveled the aggregate score after scraping past Rony Agustinus 13-15, 15-9, 15-8.

The hard-fought match saw change of service for scores of times as well as many falls.

Xia, dictated by Rony to the corners, was better at finding the openings of the other side. After they split the first two sets, the tiebreaker began with the change of service for four times before Xia made the first point.

The lead changed heads as Xia plunged onto the court to save successfully Rony's stroke to lead 9-7 before he clinch the match 2-1.

But the usually weaker point of China, the doubles, tumbled again as Liu Yong and Zhang Jun fell to Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya 2-1 before Zhang Wei and Chen Qiqiu were beaten by Ho HalinHeryanto and Trikus Harjanto 2-0.

Chinese head coach Li Yongbo had to accept the result, "China and Indonesia are very close rivals who fought a fierce match today. Generally, I am satisfied with my players, who tried their best. "

"But I doubted the ability of the judges who made seven or eight vital mistakes against us during the competition,"added Li.

In the second set alone, Chen and Zhang were fouled three times by linesmen.

South Korea were overwhelming in their battle against Thomas Cup runner-up Malaysia as the well-prepared hosts beat the latter 3-0.

Stopping in the group phase during the world team event Thomas Cup, South Korea were determined to guard their honor on home soil.

South Korean Shon Seung-mo, ranked sixth, beat Wong Choong-hann2-1.

"I was worn out during the match,"said Wong.

Lee Hyun-il and the doubles were also unstoppable as they clinched victories respectively.

Indonesia and South Korea will fight for the team title on Wednesday.

While in the women's team semi-finals, top seeds China and second seeds South Korea scored easy victories over respective rivals for the berth in the final.

Uber Cup champions China, runaway favorites with the top three world-ranked players in their team, breezed past Hong Kong of China after getting a bye in the first round.

South Korea too had an easy outing against Thailand. China and South Korea will vie for the women's team title on Tuesday.

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