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Millennium luck for Chinese coach

Sportalasia

The jubilant Chinese team [Photo by Sportalasia]

Having endured four successive semifinal heartbreaks, China advanced to the final of the Thomas Cup for the first time since 1992 after ending South Korea's fairytale run.

The Koreans, who upset hosts Malaysia and Denmark in the preliminary rounds, fought hard but could not crack the Great Wall and eventually bowed 1-3.

Zhang Jun-Zhang Wei were China's toast for the day when they upset noted Korean pair Lee Dong-soo-Yoo Yong-sung 15-9, 12-15, 15-9 to give China the winning third point.

The Chinese pair's quick pace, strong smashes and deceptive play left the Koreans scrambling all over the court.

Surprisingly, Dong-soo-Yong-sung looked jittery and made numerous errors to ignite the confidence of the Chinese pair.

The Chinese armour in the singles also proved too strong for the Koreans as All England and Swiss Open winner Xia Xuanze cruised past new Korean revelation Lee Hyun-il.

The Koreans fielded Hyun-il in placed of the more established Shon Seung-mo lost all his games in the preliminary round.

Xuanze won the first game 15-6. Hyun-il matched his opponent point for point in the second set but Xuanze prevailed over the tiring Korean and won 15-11.

As expected Ha Tae-kwon-Kim Dong-moon won the second doubles to level the score at 1-1 by defeating Yu Jinhao-Chen Qiqiu 15-11, 5-15, 15-9.

Despite the in, the manner in which the Koreans played were far from impressive and only the unforced errors by the Chinese pair gave them the advantage.

In fact the Chinese pair looked headed for an upset win when they easily took the second game 15-5, after losing the first 11-15.

It was neck and neck till the ninth point before the Koreans drew away to win the third game 15-9.

Japan Open winner Ji Xinpeng then gave China a 2-1 lead by defeating 28-year-old Ahn Jae-chang 15-12, 15-10. Then came the unexpected winning point through both the Zhangs.

The victory brought a huge sign of relief from Chinese coach Li Yongbo as it would be his final stint since he took over as chief coach in 1994.

He led the team to three unsuccessful semifinals, but this will be the first time under him China entered the final.

Courtsey: www.badmintonasia.com