(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-16 09:39

JAKARTA - China thrashed South Korea 3-1 on Thursday to advance to the final of the Uber Cup women's badminton tournament at Bung Karno Sports Hall.

China's Xie Xingfang celebrates after beating South Korea's Hwang Hye Youn during the semi-final of the Uber Cup badminton championship in Jakarta May 15, 2008. China will play in the finals on Saturday. [Agencies]

World No. 1 Xie Xingfang crushed South Korean Hwang Hye Youn 21-9, 21-19 to open the match before China's first doubles pair Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen lost to Lee Kyung Won/Hyo Jung Lee 21-14, 17-21, 18-21.

China second singles Lu Lan demolished Jang Soo Young 21-9, 21-12 while doubles pair Wei Yili/Zhang Yawen swept past Kim Min Jung/ Bae Youn Joo 21-19, 21-8 to complete the semifinal.

China will face the winner between Germany and Indonesia in the Uber Cup final.

At a post-match press briefing, Chinese head coach Li Yongbo said that his Uber Cup team had a meeting last night to discuss the tactics.

"We know South Korean pair Lee Kyung Won and Lee Hyo Jung are tougher, and we are not sure we can win," he said, "however, we are confident that our girls will beat the rest of them."

Li said he was satisfied with the performance of his players, adding that they have got some experiences from the Wednesday's match against the Netherlands, in which China survived big scares for a 3-2 win.

On the prospect of meeting Indonesia in the final in front of a boisterous home crowd at the Bung Karno Sports Hall, the Chinese coach said that "we have fully prepared for it."