So close yet so far; that was the scenario for Hong Kong at the quarter-final stage of the Men’s Team event at the Asian Games in the Korean city of Incheon on Sunday 28^th September.

They suffered a three matches to two defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei with the three matches lost, all being decided in five games and two by the minimal two point margin.

Tang Peng used his experience to good effect to beat both Chen Chien-An (12-14, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7) and Chuang Chih-Yuan (9-11, 2-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-4) but that was the sum total of success.

Wong Chun Ting was beaten by both Chuang Chih-Yuan (8-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7) and by Chen Chien-An in a cliff hanger (5-11, 12-14, 14-12, 11-9, 12-10). The remaining success for Chinese Taipei came in the third match of the itinerary; in a contest that was to prove vital Chiang Hung-Chieh secure a close and hard fought victory (8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 13-11, 11-9).

Similarly, it was disappointment for Hong Kong at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s Team event against Japan with Ai Fukuhara proving the nemesis in a three-one verdict.

She beat both Doo Hoi Kem (13-11, 11-3, 1-12, 11-7) and Lee Ho Ching (11-7, 11-5, 11-6). The one further success for Japan was recorded by Kasumi Ishikawa in the opening exchange, she accounted for Lee Ho Ching (11-6, 11-8, 11-7); for Hong Kong, Ng Wing Nam emerged the one victor. She defeated Sayaka Hirano the third match of the fixture (11-6, 11-9, 11-8).

Meanwhile, in the remaining quarter-final fixtures, in the Men’s Team event, in addition to Chinese Taipei, there was success for China, Japan and Korea; whilst in the Women’s Team competition China, DPR Korea and Singapore joined Japan in the semi-finals.

Closest call of all was that experienced by Japan in the Men’s Team event against DPR Korea with Kenta Matsudaira emerging as the hero.

Matters level at two matches apiece; he overcame Kim Hyok Bong in three straight games (11-9, 11-9, 11-9) to secure victory.

The win more than compensated for the start he had made; in the opening match of the fixture, he had been beaten by Pak Sin Hyok in five games (11-2, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6).

 A disappointing start for Japan, in the next contest on view, it appeared they were facing a two matches to nil deficit. Jun Mizutani lost the first two games against Kim Hyok Bong before recovering to record a five games success (9-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-3, 11-5).

Parity, again DPR Korea took the lead. Choe Il beat Koki Niwa by the very narrowest of margin (11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 16-14) to once again put the pressure firmly on the shoulders of Jun Mizutani.

Responding to the challenge, the 25 year old Japanese star recorded a straight games win over Pak Sinhyok (11-9, 11-6, 11-7) to set the scene for Kenta Matsudaira to fulfil the starring role.

Success for Japan and there were also successes for China, Chinese Taipei and Korea.

China accounted for India; Xu Xin beat Sharath Kamal Achanta (11-7, 11-7, 11-7), Ma Long accounted for Harmeet Desai (11-5, 7-11, 11-2, 11-6), with Fan Zhendong returning to normal service having lost two matches against Singapore the previous day. He overcame Sanil Shetty (11-2, 13-11, 11-1).

A three-nil success for China, it was the same for Korea in opposition to Singapore.

Jeong Sangeun beat Gao Ning (11-6, 11-8, 11-8). Joo Saehyuk followed suit in a similar manner against Chen Feng (11-6, 11-4, 11-5), before Lee Jungwoo ended matters by defeating Li Hu (11-9, 11-7, 11-9).

No great problems for China in the Men’s Team event, it was the same in the counterpart Women’s Team competition.

China beat Chinese Taipei by three matches to nil in a most commanding manner.

Ding Ning beat Chen Szu Yu (11-6, 11-8, 11-2), Zhu Yuling accounted for Cheng I-Ching (11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9), with Chen Meng concluding proceedings. She accounted for Lee I-Chen (11-5, 11-4, 11-9).

Likewise for Singapore against India, it was a three-nil victory margin. Feng Tianwei overcame Manika Batra (11-7, 11-8, 11-7), Lin Ye defeated Ankita Das (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8), Zhou Yihan 3-0 Poulomi Ghatak 11-5, 13-11, 11-9).

Comfortable wins; for DPR Korea life was more testing.

DRP Korea beat Korea by three-matches to one; whilst by the same margin Japan accounted for Hong Kong.

Backbone of the DPR Korea success was Ri Myong Sun. She beat both Seo Hyowon (11-8, 13-11, 6-11, 7-11, 11-7) and Yang Haeun (11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 11-4). The one further win for DPR Korea came from Kim Jong, in the first match of the fixture, she overcame Yang Haeun (9-11, 11-2, 11-7, 8-11, 11-3); for Korea the one success was recorded by Lee Eunhee. She accounted Ri Mi Gyong in the third contest of the engagement (8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3).

Proceedings in both the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events conclude with the finals on Tuesday 30^th September.

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall