Chi Yu Jen (Photo Tony2803.tw)
Chi Yu Jen was the hero for Chinese Taipei as they scrapped through to a 3-2 win over neighbours Hong Kong China in their opening men’s Group B match of the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao.
All other favoured teams including China, Japan and Indonesia were comfortable winners over their opponents on the opening day of the competition.
Twenty-year-old Yu Jen battled for 55-minutes to subdue Lam Ka To in the deciding third singles match 21-18, 21-19.
The tie saw Hong Kong drawing first blood when Lee Cheuk Yiu defeated Lin Chin-yi 21-17, 21-15. Hong Kong threatened in the first doubles, but their pairing of Hung Kuei Chun-Lui Chun Wai were edged out 19-21, 20-22 by Chiu Hsiang Chieh-Wang Chi-lin.
Hong Kong again asserted their strength in the singles with Jason Gunawan putting them ahead 2-1. The Indonesian import defeated Lee Chia Hao 21-16, 21-13.
Taiwanese twins duo of Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen pulled their side back level with a comprehensive 21-10, 21-13 defeat of Reginald Lee Chun Hei-Yeung Shing Choi.
Yu Jen, the former Syed Modi International champion, stepped up to give Taiwan the all-important win for the third seeds.
Korea, who are the other team in the group will fancy their chances based on th performances of their rivals today.
Top seeds China romped to a 5-0 win over Macau China in their opening tie in Group A, which also has Thailand in the fray.
Second seeds Indonesia were also 5-0 winners over Myanmar. Their biggest challenge in Group D will be arch-rivals Malaysia.
In Group C, fourth seeds Japan dropped the first singles but went on to register a 4-1 win over Singapore. Former world champion Loh Kean Yew defeated Kenta Nishimoto 21-17, 21-17 to give the Singaporeans their first point.
The 4-1 scoreline, however, does not show the battle that the Japanese had to face especially in the closely fought two double matches. The other team in the group are the unpredictable India.
Seeded Korea, Japan and Thailand all registered 5-0 wins over Singapore, Hong Kong China and Myanmar respectively in their opening women’s ties.
Top seeds China were not in action as their group only consists of two teams. The two sides will clash in a winner takes all match-up tomorrow.
TEAM RESULTS
Women’s
Group X: Japan bt Hong Kong China 5-0
Group Y: Thailand bt Myanmar 5-0
Group Z: Korea bt Singapore 5-0
Men’s
Group A: China bt Macau China 5-0
Group B: Chinese Taipei bt Hong Kong China 3-2
Group C: Japan bt Singapore 4-1
Group D: Indonesia bt Myanmar 5-0
