Yes this was the match that the seeded Malaysians, Lim Khim Wah/Mak Hee Chin gave only 1 point to their presumably rather inexperienced Mongolian rivals Munkhbat Batdavan/Khuyag Tulga. The Malaysian pair didn't even make any error on their serve in the second game! So this AJC have created two records, one for the closest match with only 5 points separating the two rival teams in 3 games and this one, when one team gets only one point in straight games. There was another lopsided match in the Girls' Doubles, as recounted by badMania, when Singapore's Xing Aiying/Sari Shinta Mulia (seeded no.1) beat Bhutan's Peden Muku/Yudon Karma, 21-1, 21-2. When you think of the Malaysia versus Mongolia match, you will have to change your mind about it not being possible to get a duck's egg for an official game in the NSS because it is to be expected that the server is not perfect and will make at least one mistake. But the Malaysian boys have proven us wrong. And as many people have categorized the serve as a defensive shot, it is even more surprising that the Mongolian boys were not able to 'attack' the Malaysian serves and win at least a point! Obviously, the teenagers from some of these hitherto unheard of countries have much to learn from the more established badminton countries. It is good that they join the badminton fraternity. And such new Asian countries include: "DPR (Democratic People's Republic) Korea defeated Kazahkstan 4-1, overcame Bhutan 4-1 and Mongolia 5-0 in group B to qualify for the main draw while Philippines topped group A after securing identical 5-0 victories over Jordan, Cambodia and Pakistan. Pakistan, despite losing to Philippines, made it after beating Cambodia and Jordan with 5-0 victories while Kazakhstan secured their place in the main draw after beating Mongolia 5-0 and Bhutan 3-2. " DPR Korea apparently has a 30-year old history in badminton and this is the third time the country is participating in the AJC, in 2000, 2005 and this year. By exposing their young talents to the outside world, it will be better for the country and the world at large and hopefully in years to come, we will not have to face military threats like the recent firing of 7 missiles from DPR Korea.
One of the Mongolian player is only 11 years old! They could hardly compete in that match. We at the stadium was surprised and even the Japanese coaches and the spectators was encouraging them to a certain extent.
If you look at the photos at the ABC website, there's a number of "kids" competing in the AJC. It's expected that they will be thrashed badly, getting duck eggs
If Pia is to win the AJC title...she has to beat possibly Wang Yihan (QF), Jang Soo Young (SF) and either Saina Nehwal or Lydia Cheah Li Ya (FINAL). Unlikely...but not impossible
In the girls' events, there are already quite a few established names (you can add Xing Aiying to the list above) in the senior circuit, so I think it is not easy for anyone to win it. As for the boys, only Lee Yong Dae is the established name and he is expected to sweep his events.
Unfortunately, Xing Aiying lost in both girl's singles (Han Li in 2 easy sets) and doubles to Chinese players (Liao Jingmei/Wang Siyun in 3 sets). Both Saina Nehwal and Bellaetrix Manuputty also lost to another Chinese newcomers, Cheng Wen and Liu Jie in 3 sets. So, its the same old story yet again..4 Chinese girls in the QF, 1 Indonesian (Pia), 2 Korean (Jang Soo Young and Kim Moon Hi), and 1 Malaysian (Lydia Cheah Li Ya). In the boy's singles, no more Indonesian players left in the draw (2 lost in 3 close sets to Koreans, another lost to Mohd Arif Abdul Latif). Meanwhile, Vountus Indra Mawan lost to Du Pengyu. Lu Qicheng remains untroubled, with straight forward victories. So, the QF match-ups in BS and GS (predicted winners in bold): BS Mohd Arif Abdul Latif vs Chen Tianyu (MATCH OF THE ROUND) Du Pengyu vs Kenichi Tago Teo Kok Siang vs Han Ki Hoon Lu Qicheng vs Shon Wan Ho GS Jang Soo Young vs Liu Jie Wang Yihan vs Pia Zebadiah (MATCH OF THE ROUND) Kim Moon Hi vs Han Li Lydia Cheah Li Ya vs Cheng Wen
It's a very familiar story, the Chinese suddenly bringing on unknown world-beaters into the global scene. During the time Saina was on hot form, I mentioned that we have to see the World Junior Championships to see where she really stand. I guess we didn't have to wait that long. It's not a fluke because Xing Aiying was also ousted by a similarly-unknown Chinese. The same could have happened in the boys' singles section except that Wen Kai lost to Han Ki Hoon, but the other 3 Chinese are still in it.
Liu Jie bt Jang Soo Young Wang Yi Han bt Pia Zebadiah Han Li bt Kim Moon Hi Lydia bt Cheng Wen u under estimated the chinese's gal power, leaded by Wang Yi Han Final: Wang Yi Han vs Lydia Cheah Han Ki Hoon vs Tago
Some surprises in the BS...the favorites Mohd Arif Abdul Latif and Lu Qicheng both lost in the semi-finals to Kenichi Tago and Han Ki Hoon respectively. Pia lost as expected to Wang Yihan who will yet again meet Lydia Cheah Li Ya in the Final tomorrow. Can Lydia beat the Chinese for the second time in a row? Not much surprises in the BD and XD, where Lee Yong Dae is poised to clinch 2 titles. Lee Yong Dae/Choo Gun Woo have yet to face any problems so far and tomorrow, they will face the no 1 seed and local favorite Mohd Arif Abdul Latif/Vountus Indra Mawan. In the mixed, Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Hyun Young also breezed through the early rounds and will meet the no 1 seed Tan Wee Kiong/Woon Khe Wei in the final. The Malaysian pair beat 2 Indonesian pairs in the QF and SF, both in 3 sets. So, no Indonesian representative in the final tomorrow. Finally, in the GD, Yoo Hyun Young/Sun In Jang will meet Ma Jin/Wang Xiaoli in tomorrow's final. So, Korea could be the big winner in this year's AJC...sweeping at least 2 individual events and the mixed-team event. My Predictions for tomorrow's Final: BS Kenichi Togo vs Han Ki Hoon GS Wang Yihan vs Lydia Cheah Li Ya (MATCH OF THE DAY) BD Mohd Arif Abdul Latif/Vountus Indra Mawan vs Lee Yong Dae/Cho Gun Woo GD Yoo Hyun Young/Sun In Jang vs Ma Jin/Wang Xiaoli XD Tan Wee Kiong/Woon Khe Wei vs Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Hyun Yung
Lydia makes history, first Malaysian women single to reach final in Asian Junior Championship... I'm proud of her
