Japan tackles Korea in women’s finals

MANILA, Philippines — Japan lived up to its top billing as it outclassed Malaysia, 3-0, yesterday to clinch the first finals berth in the women’s division of the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Akane Yamaguchi, who is currently ranked third by the Badminton World Federation, fended off a fierce challenge put up by Soniia Cheah and carved out a 21-17, 21-18 victory in the first singles to open things up for the Japanese.

Yamaguchi avenged her painful 16-21, 21-13, 18-21 loss at the hands of Cheah, ranked 31st in the world, in the group stages Thursday.

Japan barely escaped Malaysia and eventually won the match, 3-2, to top Group W.

It was all the inspiration Japan needed to dominate the next two matches, thanks to triumphs by World No. 3 Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota over Lee Meng Yean and Yap Cheng Wen in the doubles and World No. 11 Sayaka Takahashi over reigning Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Kisona Selvaduray, 21-13, 21-13, in the second singles.

The win set the Japanese, who routed the Indonesians, 3-0, in the quarterfinals, up against the South Koreans, who turned back the Thais, 3-1, in today’s finale at 10 a.m.

World No. 9 An Se Young, World No. 4 Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan and World No. 5 Kim So Yeiong and Kong Hee Yong all hurdled their respective assignments to seal it for South Korea.

An bested Busanan Ongsbamrungphan, 24-22, 21-17; Lee and Shin turned back Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai, 12-21, 21-19, 21-11; and Kim and Kong survived Chayanit Chaladchalam and Phataimas Muenwong, 22-20, 20-22, 21-13.

Pornpawee Chochuwong averted a shutout by trouncing Sung Ji Hyun, 18-21, 21-18, 23-21.

This six-day tournament is backed by SMART Communications, Inc., Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, Leisure and Resorts World Corp., Cignal and TV5.