Japan, Hong Kong into semifinals at Worlds

GUANGZHOU: Japan's women powered into the semifinals of the World Team Table Tennis Championships yesterday and immediately issued a challenge to all-conquering China.

Japan, determined to finish higher than its third at the last worlds, thumped Hungary 3-0 to set up a semifinal showdown with Singapore, which earlier secured its spot in dramatic fashion.

"We decided that the theme for our team is the undefeatable spirit and that's how we want to continue here," 19-year-old sensation Ai Fukuhara said.

Teammate Sayaka Hirano said Japan was gaining in confidence as the worlds progressed, although she conceded that they would need an extra dose of aggression against Singapore.

Singapore earlier downed the Netherlands after the Europeans, 2-0 down in its quarterfinal, was forced to halt the third match when Li Jie hurt her ankle in the opening game.

"Although I'm pleased that we won, I feel very sorry for the Netherlands, who knows what might have happened if they kept playing," said Singapore's Wang Yue Gu, who was leading 5-3 when play stopped.

It was a crushing end for the Netherlands, whose paddlers survived an exhausting encounter with South Korea late Wednesday to reach the quarters.

Hong Kong, second at the last two worlds, is also into the semis after grinding down Austria in marathon matches lasting almost three hours, to eventually wrap up the clash 3-2.

The southern Chinese territory meets formidable China in the semis. China thrashed Romania 3-0.

China's equally fearsome men whitewashed Italy 3-0 to reach the quarters, as they stepped up their campaign for a fourth straight team title.

Italy took just one game off China, boasting the world's top players who are using the Worlds as the perfect warm-up for the Beijing Olympics where nothing short of total dominance is expected.

Japan also continued its scintillating form, downing Serbia 3-0 to finish top of their group and also automatically qualify for the quarters.

South Korea, gunning for its first team title, is also in, but was made to suffer anxious moments against a gritty Hungary, before prevailing 3-1.

Hong Kong secured a spot after fighting through a 3-2 thriller against Belarus, relegating Singapore to second in the group.

Powerhouse Germany suffered a double setback as it attempts to reach the finals. The third seed was dumped 3-1 by minnow Slovakia, with Bastian Steger injuring a hamstring in his clash, forcing Germany to abandon his match.

Germany coach Richard Prause conceded he was a "little shocked" by the loss, and warned that his team needed to recover quickly ahead of the playoffs for the final four quarterfinal spots.

"I think everybody was a little shocked but must not dwell on the loss, we must turn around and get ready for tonight," Prause said.

It was the second straight defeat for Germany, which had opted to rest key players for the Slovakia match.

As well as Germany and Singapore, six other teams, who finished second and third in their groups, will battle it out in the playoffs.

AFP

(China Daily 02/29/2008 page24)