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DPRK, China to Vie for Women's Top Prize
Cheered on by nearly a hundred of impartial Korean residents in Osaka, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea edged out South Korea 3-1 in the women's team table tennis semifinals Friday night.
Both teams said Thursday they did not much mind who eventually played in the final, just as long as one Korean team beat defending champions Chinese.
As a Korean crowd chanted "Korea", "Korea", and waved special "unified" flags, Kim Hyon Hui won her both matches to nail DPR Korea's 3-1 victory.
After South Korean Kim Moo Kyo took the first match, 14-21, 21-17, 21-19, against Kim Hyang Mi, DPR Korean top player Kim Hyon Hui made it 1-1 with a 21-15, 21-16 victory over Ryu Ji Hye.
Tu Jong Sil snatched the third match, beating Lee Eun Sil 26-28, 21-14, 21-13.
Kim Hyon Hui sent DPR Korea to the final by nipping Kim Moo Kyo 21-8, 22-20.
DPR Korea improved their record against South Korea to four wins against two losses.
DPR Korea defeated South Korea 3-0 in the 1997 championships and the last time South Korea won was in 1981.
The Chinese women cruised into the final by beating hosts Japan 3-0.
World No. 3 Zhang Yining beat Konishi An 21-23, 21-15, 21-10 and world No. 1 and dual Olympic champion Wang Nan crushed Chinese-born Japanese Takada Yoshie 21-14, 21-14.
World No. 2 Li Ju downed Haneyoshi Junko, also a former Chinese player, 21-15, 21-12 in the third match.
"The match tomorrow will be very tough," said Chinese coach Li Xiaodong. "I would rather have South Korea as the final rival."
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