China hammers England to keep on course for success
GLASGOW: China kept a firm grip on the Sudirman Cup on Tuesday when they trounced England 5-0 to remain the only unbeaten side in Division 1 Group A. The win also assured the team of a semifinal place at the tournament.
The five-time champions have not yet dropped a game and now meet Malaysia in the final round-robin group match today.
England, who had scored a key win over Malaysia in the first round, all but acknowledged that the Chinese stars are unbeatable by resting their top mixed doubles couple, Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms.
Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg stepped in for the world champions and duly lost the opening tie 14-21 16-21 to Zheng Bo and Gao Ling.
In the men's singles, World Champion Lin Dan was pushed surprisingly close by world No.19 Andrew Smith in the first game before pulling off a 21-19 21-11 to send the record five time winners into easy street.
Zhang Ning, the world No 1, duly tied up the result with a straightforward 21-9 21-15 win over the Commonwealth Games Champion Tracey Hallam.
"I am delighted to go through so easily," said Chinese coach Li Yongbo.
"England didn't put out their best side but we don't mind who we play. We are here to defend the trophy."
In the other Division 1 Group A Group, newly-promoted Malaysia claimed a first win in Division 1 Group A when they won the final women's doubles match to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win over Thailand in a tie of fluctuating fortunes.
Thailand's mixed doubles pair of Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam took the opening point 21-17, 21-14 against Tan Wee Kiong and Woon Khe Wei but Lee Chong Wei beat Boonsak Ponsana 17-21, 21-10, 21-15 in the men's singles to make the score to 1-1.
Thailand then took the lead again through Salakjit Ponsana fighting back from a game down to beat Wong Mew Choo 17-21, 21-10, 21-15, but Malaysia's men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong again levelled with a 21-12, 21-16 win over Prapakamol and Phattapol Ngensrisuk.
In the decider, Malaysia's Pei Tty Wong and Eei hui Chin danced with delight after pulling off a comfortable 21-16 21-12 victory over Duanganong Aroonkesorn and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul.
Semi favorites
England now meet Thailand today, and should be favorites to join China in the semifinals on Saturday.
But England team manager Ian Wright was playing down his side's chances.
"The Asians all think that Thailand will win," he said.
"It will definitely be a very close match."
Earlier, Olympic gold medalist Taufik Hidayat sparked Indonesia to a 4-1 victory over Denmark in Division 1 Group B.
Hidayat was first on court against European champion Peter Gade and produced a composed display to beat the Dane 21-18 18-21 21-13.
Gade told reporters: "I think I played well for large parts of the game but he played very well too. I had a good chance to win the first game but Taufik got control of the net which was very important."
Tine Rasmussen squared the account for Denmark in the women's singles only for Indonesia, Cup runners-up last time, to win all three doubles matches.
In the other game in the group, South Korea beat Hong Kong 4-1 and look set for the semifinals after their victory over Indonesia on Monday.
A total of 48 countries and regions, split into six divisions, are taking part in the biennial event.
Agencies
(China Daily 06/14/2007 page24)
