Shuttlers close in on QF after HK thriller

Battling Thailand brightened their chance of making the quarter-finals of the BWF Sudirman Cup World Mixed Team Tournament in Kuala Lumpur with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hong Kong in their Group 1B encounter.

The Thai badminton team crashed out in the first round two years ago, in Qingdao, China, and have never broken into the top four at the prestigious tournament.

Kuala Lumpur's Putra Stadium is playing host this year to the week-long event, where 31 teams are divided into different groups based on their ranking.

Thailand are vying for the title in the elite Group 1 along with eight-time champions China, Indonesia and South Korea.

China, Indonesia and India are in Group 1A, while Thailand join Hong Kong and South Korea in Group 1B. Group 1C comprises of hosts Malaysia, Germany and Taiwan, with Denmark pitted against Japan and Singapore in Group 1D. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals.

In their first clash against Hong Kong, Thailand went 2-0 ahead thanks to the superb form of Maneepong Jongjit and Niphitphon Puangpuapech in the men's doubles and Ratchanok Inthanon in the women's singles.

Maneepong and Niphitphon spent 32 minutes in outclassing Wong Wei Hong/Chan Yun Lung 21-14 21-18, while Ratchanok, world No 5 and champion at the recent India Open, beat Yip Pui Yin 21-19 21-16.

Thailand were close to sealing the tie in the men's singles when world No 8 Boonsak Ponsana held four match points over world No 6 Hu Yun. But his Hong Kong rival saved all four before fighting back to claim the match in 72 minutes and pull Thailand's lead back to 2-1.

The women's world No 12 duo of Tse Ying Tsuet/Lok Yan Poon levelled it at 2-2 for Hong Kong with a stunning 21-13 15-21 21-14 win over world No 9 Duanganong Aroonkesorn/Kunchala Voravichitchaikul.

It was left to veteran world No 6 and 2102 Indonesia Open winners Sudket Prapakamaol/Saralee Thoungthongkam to quell Thai fears with a determined 24-22 22-20 triumph over Lee Chun Hei/Chau Hoi Wah for a 3-2 win.

Elsewhere in Group 1, China crushed India 5-0, Denmark thrashed Singapore 4-1 and Taiwan stunned hosts Malaysia 3-2. Today, Thailand go up against three-time winners South Korea in the Group 1B clash.

Yesterday's results:

Group A

Indonesia bt India 4-1

Group D

Japan bt Singapore 5-0

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/05/21/shuttlers-close-in-on-qf-after-hk-thriller/