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THE shock defeat of Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen to South Korea's second pair of Lee Hyo Jung-Hwang Yu Mi in the Uber Cup final will not jeopardise the Chinese pair’s chances in the Olympic Games in Athens on Aug 13-29.
In fact, China's head coach Li Yongbo believes they will not only compete in Athens, but emerge as champions as well.
"Although the squad for the Olympics is not finalised, I expect them (Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen) to feature in the Games," said Yongbo.
"Their loss yesterday (Saturday) will not affect their places in the Games. In fact, they will win the gold medal."
In the final, Hyo Jung-Yu Mi outclassed the Chinese with an effective combination of attacking badminton and strong defence to win the match 15-7, 15-10 to be the first players to take a match off China in the Uber Cup campaign.
China, however, went on to win the tie 3-1 to claim their ninth Uber Cup title since joining the competition in 1981.
But Yongbo was the least perturbed and attributed the loss to Zhang Jiewen's injury.
"She (Zhang Jiewen) injured her elbow in the first game, and that's why they played below expectations," explained Yongbo.
"But they have played the Koreans six times before, and have won all of them. And I'm sure if they play them another 10 times, they (Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen) will win all of them."
The Chinese pair, however, have only won the Korea Open this year but have hogged the limelight, especially in the All- England championships in March, for withdrawing from the final against compatriots Gao Ling-Huang Sui.
Many voiced their dissatisfaction with the decision as they did the same thing in the Swiss Open which was held a week before the All-England championships.
In the Japan Open last month, Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen lost to Korea's top pair of Ra Kyung Min-Lee Kyung Won in the semi-finals.
Korea team manager Kim Jung Soo believes it was just an excuse on the part of the Chinese to explain the loss.
"We won simply because we were the better pair. Our players are also injured but that didn't stop them from playing above themselves," said Jung Soo.
"And the win will give them more confidence if and when they take on the Chinese again."
And despite Yongbo's confidence, that opportunity may come again in Athens.
NST
In fact, China's head coach Li Yongbo believes they will not only compete in Athens, but emerge as champions as well.
"Although the squad for the Olympics is not finalised, I expect them (Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen) to feature in the Games," said Yongbo.
"Their loss yesterday (Saturday) will not affect their places in the Games. In fact, they will win the gold medal."
In the final, Hyo Jung-Yu Mi outclassed the Chinese with an effective combination of attacking badminton and strong defence to win the match 15-7, 15-10 to be the first players to take a match off China in the Uber Cup campaign.
China, however, went on to win the tie 3-1 to claim their ninth Uber Cup title since joining the competition in 1981.
But Yongbo was the least perturbed and attributed the loss to Zhang Jiewen's injury.
"She (Zhang Jiewen) injured her elbow in the first game, and that's why they played below expectations," explained Yongbo.
"But they have played the Koreans six times before, and have won all of them. And I'm sure if they play them another 10 times, they (Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen) will win all of them."
The Chinese pair, however, have only won the Korea Open this year but have hogged the limelight, especially in the All- England championships in March, for withdrawing from the final against compatriots Gao Ling-Huang Sui.
Many voiced their dissatisfaction with the decision as they did the same thing in the Swiss Open which was held a week before the All-England championships.
In the Japan Open last month, Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen lost to Korea's top pair of Ra Kyung Min-Lee Kyung Won in the semi-finals.
Korea team manager Kim Jung Soo believes it was just an excuse on the part of the Chinese to explain the loss.
"We won simply because we were the better pair. Our players are also injured but that didn't stop them from playing above themselves," said Jung Soo.
"And the win will give them more confidence if and when they take on the Chinese again."
And despite Yongbo's confidence, that opportunity may come again in Athens.
NST
