Badminton
Badminton Asia Team C'Ships: Youngsters steer India to final with 3-2 win over Japan - Highlights
Catch the highlights of the national women's team's 3-2 win against Japan in the semifinal of the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on Saturday.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will open their campaign at the Denmark Open Super 750 on October 16, 2024. (FILE PHOTO: BadmintonPhoto/BWF)
The Indian women's badminton team created history on Saturday as it beat Japan 3-2 in the semifinal of the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam, Malaysia, to reach the final for the first time in the history of the prestigious tournament.
In the final, India will face Thailand, who defeated Indonesia 3-1 in the other semifinal.
The national women's team, who has already secured a place in the Uber Cup by reaching the semifinal of the tournament, banked on the youngsters to register a thrilling win over Japan.
India trailed 0-1 in the tie after PV Sindhu went down to Aya Ohori in straight games (13-21, 20-22) in the first match.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, however, registered a thrilling three-game (21-17, 16-21, 22-20) win over world no. 6 Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida to help India draw level in the tie.
Ashmita Chaliha, then, handed out experienced Japanese player Nozomi Okuhara a straight-game (21-17, 21-14) defeat.
With Sindhu forming a scratch pair with Ashwini Ponnappa in the absence of injured Tanisha Crasto, Japanese duo Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto did not find it hard to beat the Indian pair 21-14, 21-11.
Hence, in the deciding fifth match, the task fell on 17-year-old Anmol Kharb, who played just one match in the tournament against China, also in the deciding fifth match and won, showed her temperament and skills by taking down world no. 29 Natsuki Nidaira in straight games (21-14, 21-18).
Her win helped India reach the final of the Badminton Asia Team Championships for the first time.
Catch highlights:
Live Updates
- 17 Feb 2024 5:02 AM GMT
2nd Game: Ashmita smashing at will
Ashmita does not go for a full-blown smash here, she deceives Okuhara varying the pace and places the shuttle at the front court. Okuhara fails to reach the shuttle.
For the next one, however, Ashmita plays a brilliant smash. Okuhara dives and the shuttle goes wide. Ashmita takes a four-point lead at 16-12.
- 17 Feb 2024 5:00 AM GMT
2nd Game: Crosscourt smash by Ashmita
Two points in a row for Ashmita. Her crosscourt smash for the second point sees Okuhara falling flat on her belly. Ashmita leads 14-12.
- 17 Feb 2024 4:59 AM GMT
2nd Game: Okuhara follows the same tactic to draw level
And the Japanese player wins a point by putting Okuhara in one corner of the court. It is 12-all now.
- 17 Feb 2024 4:57 AM GMT
2nd Game: Ashmita's deft placement leaves Okuhara struggling
Ashmita's angled return to Okuhara's backhand leaves the Japanese player wanting. Ashmita leads 12-11 now.
- 17 Feb 2024 4:56 AM GMT
2nd Game: Ashmita leads 11-9 at the interval
Ashmita remains in firm control of the second game as she leads 11-9 at the interval after trailing initially. Okuhara goes long here. Ashmita anticipates it well.
- 17 Feb 2024 4:55 AM GMT
2nd Game: Ashmita's brilliant angled return
Ashmita is making Okuhara dance to her tune as she makes an angled placement to Oluhara's backhand at the net to which Japanese cannot do anything. Ashmita leads 10-9 now.
- 17 Feb 2024 4:52 AM GMT
2nd Game: Ashmita takes 8-7 lead
Ashmita wins five points in a row to gain an 8-7 lead as she wins the net battle by flicking the shuttle over the net.
- 17 Feb 2024 4:51 AM GMT
2nd Game: Ashmita draws level
Ashmita wins her fourth successive point now as Okuhara's return ruffles the net. It is 7-7 now.
- 17 Feb 2024 4:51 AM GMT
2nd Game: Three points in a row for Ashmita
Ashmita controls the net now, she wins her third successive point now to trail 6-7.
