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Journalism of Courage
HYDERABAD, February 20: Failure in the crucial second and third singles in both events undid the bid of Indian teams to make the semi-final grade in the Thomas and Uber Cup Asian Zonal badminton championship held at Manila.
National coach Syed Arif was all praise for the both teams for their overall performance in the championship and the experienced gained.
Arif cited national runner up Abhin Shyam Gupta’s injury and Neelima Choudhary’s loss after putting up a good fight as the factors which denied India the distinction of making the semifinals.
The men’s loss against formidable Thailand in the opener affected the women’s side. The women themselves failed to play to potential against Malaysia after comfortably winning their first two matches.
In the preliminary league tie against Thailand, National champion P Gopi Chand had no problem in outwitting Thai National champion Anupap Dhiraj Sakul 15-8, 15-8. The loss of second and third singles cost the Indian’s the chance to qualify. National runner-upAbhin Shyam Gupta, rehabilitating from an operation continued to play even in the recently concluded Nationals at Hyderabad.
During the course of his tie against Netapol Sarawat when both the two players were locked 8-all, Abhin showed signs of pain , eventually losing game in extra points 14-17 to Netapol even in the second game. Abhin was at the receiving end but went down fighting 12-15.
Thailand consolidated its position when its doubles pair of Kitipon Kitipool and Pramode Deeawaiwatana snuffed out the Indian duo Vijay Deep Singh and Jaseel Ismail 15-10, 15-7.With India losing its first tie to Thailand 3-2, the next two matches against New Zealand and Mauritius turned out to be experience gaining exercise.
In the Uber Cup ties, the strong Indian women’s squad claimed a walk-over from Nigeria and then blanked Sri Lanka 5-0. Against Malaysia, Aparna Popat gave India a perfect start by outplaying Leeynyinyn 12-10, 11-3. Neelima Choudhary had to play the second singles tie against Law Pei Pei.Neelima lost the first game tamely at 4-11, but she put a gritty show by claiming a 6-0 lead in the second game and ultimately clinched it in extra points 12-9 to level the score one-all.
In the decider, Pei Pei was in her element and Neelima lost 4-11.
Manjusha Kanwarc was outplayed by Pameesha Deshanthi 11-3, 11-2 and Madhumita Bisht and Sindhu Gulati played their part perfectly to register a double’s tie win over Lin Peksiah and Shor Hdol Yee 15-12, 11-1 but the Malaysian last pair of Ameen Norshas Sakim and Pei Pei got the better of the gritty challenge put by Manjusha Kanwar and Archana Deodhar in extra points at 15-11, 18-14 to seal the fate of India in the Uber Cup.
