Throughout today’s match, China still has not encountered any significant obstacles. The defending champions won a perfect 5-0 win over Singapore in the second match of Group A of the 2023 Asia Mixed Team Championships at the Dubai Exhibition Center, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday local time.
Compared to the first match against Uzbekistan, this match is more challenging. None of the wins were achieved with points less than ten. Even in the men's singles, Lei Lan Xi had to compete for three games 14-21, 21-19, 21-14 to beat Jia Heng Jason Teh. Singapore surprisingly did not feature 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew. Though, ranking wise, he was far better compared to Lei Lan Xi. Currently, Loh Kean Yew is in eighth position in the world. While Lei Lan Xi was ranked 116th.
This victory also led China to penetrate the top eight. But whether they will be the group champion or runner-up, it is not yet confirmed. This is because their toughest rival, Korea, also won with a perfect score of 5-0 over Uzbekistan. All of Korea's victories were achieved in straight games with almost all the points under 10. Except in the women's singles, Korean representative Sim Yu Jin won 21-13 in the first game over Diana Garamona. But in the second game, the world number #47 won 21-9 over her 17-year-old opponent.
The match between China and Korea will be held on Thursday (16/2/2023) morning at 09.00 Dubai time. The match is predicted to be fierce and challenging for both teams. The strength of the two countries is quite balanced even though both are not reinforced by their best representatives.
Indonesia has also confirmed qualification for top eight as Group C representative. In the last game, Indonesia, which is seeded in third place, beat Bahrain with a perfect score of 5-0. This is Indonesia's third victory, having previously won by the same score over Lebanon and Syria. All wins for Indonesian representatives in all numbers were achieved quite easily.
In the match against Bahrain, Indonesia did not use all of their strength. In men's singles, Indonesia kept Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, ranked third in the world, and put Chico Wardoyo. Likewise in the men's doubles. The world number one pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto was also not featured. They will be focused on facing Thailand tomorrow afternoon. A very decisive match for the winner of Group C.
Meanwhile in Group B, Japan will compete for the group winner position with Chinese Taipei. Both countries have both won twice.
