Incheon: China women’s team advanced to the semi-finals of 2014 IncheonAsian Games women’s team event after defeated Malaysia 3-0 in the quarter-finals at the Gyeyang Gymnasium. China will play against the Japanese team in the semi-finals.
In the first match, China’s Olympic champion Li Xuerui needed only 29 minutes to dispatch Tee Jing Yi of Malaysia 21-9, 21-8 in the first singles match.
Next, Malaysian women’s doubles pair Vivian Hoo-Ng Hui Lin managed to create some troubles for the reigning World Champion Zhao Yunlei / Tian Qing before Zhao/Tian summoned up their resolve to win the first set at 21-18. However, the Chinese pair dominated the Malaysia duo in a one-sided second set to clinch the game at 21-8.
“We don’t have much time to recover after the world championships. Furthermore, the lighting in the stadium is not good, that’s why we were having difficulties fending off the Malaysian pair in the first set,” said Zhao Yunlei.
Mighty Chinese team secured the winning point after Wang Shixian earned a hard fought victor over Yang Li Lian of Malaysia 21-15, 22-20.
“It was a little bit nervous playing against the world number two Wang Shixian. I tried to force a rubber game, but I lacked the experience of big-match to steal a set from her,” said Li Lian.
Malaysian women’s team defeated Nepal 3-0 in an earlier tie.
The Malaysian men’s team will face Nepal in Sunday’s quarter-finals. Malaysia is expected to breeze through Nepal to set up a semi-final clash against China on Monday.
