You are here: Home

Hope for gold sweep still alive

: 0 Comments Print E-mail China Daily, November 16, 2010

Adjust font size:

China's shuttlers overcame the huge weight of expectation on Monday to seize gold in the men's and women's team competitions at the Asian Games to keep alive their quest for a clean-sweep.

Huge favorites in both categories, the Chinese showed little mercy, the men beating a stubborn Republic of Korea 3-1 and the women thrashing Thailand 3-0.

Super star Lin Dan, touted as the best player ever by some, put the men on their way at Tianhe Gymnasium, but he was far from his brilliant best at the outset, conceding the first game 21-19 to the plucky Park Sung-hwan.

That spurred "Super Dan" to life against the man who dumped him out of the Worlds in August in Paris and Lin won the next two games against a fast-tiring Park to win 19-21, 21-16, 21-18 in 71 minutes.

The Koreans won the next rubber in the doubles to make it 1-1, but China, roared on by vociferous home support, would not be denied for long.

"The start was not satisfactory, I was not doing well and I lost several points," said Lin, the reigning Olympic champion.

"I couldn't keep the advantage when I was leading and let him catch up later, which gave him a lot of confidence in such an important match.

"I was the first player for my team and also, it's the final match, so I felt a bit stressed."

Park, the world No 11, said he was disappointed to make so many errors in the final game, but took consolation from knowing he had lost to such a talented player.

"Everyone knows that Lin is exceptional - I don't think there's anyone in the world that can beat him at the moment," said Park.

China coach Li Yongbo said despite winning gold with ease, the Chinese women could learn from blooding youngsters so early on.

"We can see very clearly that badminton is improving in the world and more and more countries are making improvements so we are going to face more and more challenges, so we need to work hard," said Li.

"All 10 (women) players were making their debuts in the