Hong Kong badminton youngsters fall to Indonesia in opening match of the Asia Team Championships
- The men’s and women’s teams both lose 4-1 in the tournament in Malaysia, which acts as a qualifier for the Thomas and Uber Cups
- Head coach Tim He hopes the event can provide more playing opportunities for his younger players during the Covid-19 pandemic
The Hong Kong women’s badminton team were taught a harsh lesson in their opening match of the Asia Team Championships, losing 4-1 against Indonesia on Tuesday but head coach Tim He Yiming said he was not too disappointed.
Only doubles pair Yeung Nga-ting and Yeung Pui-lam were able to score a point in the best-of-five tie with Hong Kong now facing a daunting task in the tournament in Shah Alam, Malaysia, which also serves as a qualifier for May’s prestigious Thomas and Uber Cups.
“We don’t set a target of qualifying for the Cups but just want to give our young players more playing chances, those who have not played at international level for a long time because of the interruption of the world calendar brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the coach.
“The result was not something unexpected as Indonesia are a better side but I am sure our young guns have also learned something from their matches.”
Cheung Ying-mei was tasked with playing the first single match following the absence of Cheung Ngan-yi and Yip Pui-yin, but the only experienced player in the Hong Kong squad was unable to trouble Indonesia number one Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, the world number 27. Cheung lost in straight games 21-16, 21-12 before her teammates pulled one rubber back in the doubles.
The two Yeungs were fully stretched by Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi before claiming the hard-earned point after three close games, 21-19, 19-21, 23-21. But then Indonesia took control of the tie. Yeung Sum-yee was beaten by Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-14, 21-5 in the next singles match.
After Fan Ka-yan and Yau Mau-ying’s defeat in the doubles, it was all over for Hong Kong because Indonesia had an unassailable 3-1 lead. Saloni Samir Mehta then lost to Stephanie Widjaja in the last match.
Hong Kong will now face South Korea in their second match on Wednesday before taking on Kazakhstan in their final group encounter.
