Female shuttlers representing India have pulled off yet another first with their semi-final victory over Japan 3-2 at the Badminton Asia Team Championships.
SINDHU LOST HER SINGLES ENCOUNTER, BUT INDIA RETURNED WITH FIERCE SHUTTLING SKILLS
India had previously defeated Hong Kong 3-0 to earn a historic first medal. In that match, PV Sindhu, Ashwini Ponappa, Tanisha Crasto, and Ashmita Chaliha had won their respective matches to give India the easy victory.
India’s match-up against Japan was comparatively tougher. Even in the absence of their star players like Akane Yamaguchi (ranked 4th) and the formidable duo of Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota (ranked 7th), along with the dynamic pairing of Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara (ranked 8th), Japan stood strong, casting a formidable shadow over India, ensuring a fierce battle on the court.
Superstar shuttler PV Sindhu faced Japan’s Aya Ohori in the first singles. Sindhu had defeated her Chinese and Hong Kong counterparts in the last two matches, providing India an early advantage, but in the semi-finals, she could not maintain her form, losing to Ohori 13-21, 20-22.
In the second match, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand faced Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida. In an almost even contest, the Indian duo managed to find a way to win, even after losing the second set. In a 73 minute contest, the duo ended with a winning score of 21-17, 16-21, 22-20.
With the two teams level at 1-1, Ashmita Chaliha faced former World Champion Nozomi Okuhara. With Okuhara the firm favourite, Chaliha produced a shocking, remarkable performance to defeat her opponent 21-17, 21-14 to put India at a leading position.
Ashmita you beauty 🤩
Ashmita Chaliha upsets former WR 1 & former World Champion Nozomi Okuhara 21-17, 21-14 to make India go 2-1 up in Semis tie against Japan in Badminton Asia Team Championships (Women). #BATC2024 pic.twitter.com/03a9jGHMPF
— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) February 17, 2024
DESPITE TANISHA CRASTO’S INJURY, INDIA MANAGED TO WIN THE CONTEST
The Indians had their task cut out in the fourth match, where a win would send the team to the finals. With Tanisha Crasto not fully fit due to a niggle, Sindhu had to embark on double duty, teaming up with Ashwini Ponnappa to face Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto. The Japanese duo won the rather comfortably, defeating the Indians 21-14, 21-11.
In the all-important deciding match, Anmol Kharb faced Natsuki Nidaira (ranked 29th). Kharb surprised pundits and audience alike by comfortably overtaking a formidable barrier by 21-14, 21-18 in just under 52 minutes to give the Indians a shocking victory.
HISTORY CREATED 👀👀
Indian Women Team kept coming back in the match against the Mighty Japanese team to enter the Final of Badminton Asia Team Championships for the very first time.#Badminton pic.twitter.com/t0XWyDLAXy
— IndiaSportsHub (@IndiaSportsHub) February 17, 2024
Prior to the match, the women representing India had already secured a historic first medal and a spot at Uber Cup, and with this victory, they remain in contention for a historic Gold medal at Badminton Asia Team Championships.
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