In the quarterfinals and semifinals of the BNI Badmiton Asia Junior Championships 2023 held on Monday, July 10, China and Thailand didn’t make it through to the final round.
China, which is seeded in first place, made an early exit in the quarter-finals. They lost 1-3 to Japan in a match that was held at Amongraga Sports Hall, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Meanwhile, Thailand lost in the semifinals to host Indonesia with a landslide score of 0-3.
The quarterfinals and semifinals were held in one day, in the morning (9AM) and in the evening (4PM). In the quarter-finals, apart from China, Korea was also eliminated. Korea were defeated by Chinese Taipei with a score of 0-3. However, Chinese Taipei did not advanced to the finals after being defeated by Japan in the semifinals with a score of 1-3.
For the two finalists, Indonesia and Japan, qualifying for the final round of Badminton Asia Junior Championships is not their first time. Since 2006, Indonesia has qualified twice. Unfortunately, they failed to win the title in both attempts. In 2019, when the Badminton Asia Junior Championships was held in Suzhou, China, Indonesia lost to Thailand with a score of 3-2. Meanwhile, in 2017 when it was held in Jakarta, Indonesia lost to Korea with 2-3.
Japan, on the other hand, has had more success. This country has won once in 2012 by beating China with a score of 3-0.
As the host, Indonesia certainly has the ambition to win for the first time. Indonesia's strength began to receive attention after defeating China in Group A with a score of 4-1. Their position is getting stronger after defeating the defending champion Thailand in the semifinals.
However, Japan also has a strong team. In the men's singles, Japan relies on Yudai Okimoto, who is ranked 9th in the world. He will meet Indonesian player, Alwi Farhan, who is ranked 12th in the world. Even though he’s lower in rank, doesn't mean that Alwi can be defeated easily. His experience playing in several senior events has given him the confidence to face Okimoto. In the women's singles, Japan has world number one badminton player, Tomoka Miyazaki, who will face Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari, world number 15. Mutiara's confidence is rising after contributing points as well as being the determinant of Indonesia's victory over Thailand after defeating world number 62 Saranporn Sombutwatthananukool with three games 17-21, 21-7, 21-18.
The three other categories, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles will determine who will climb to the championship podium. In the men's doubles, Indonesia is predicted to feature Muhammad Al Farizi/Nikolaus Joaquin (men’s doubles), Anisanaya Kamila/Az Zahra Ditya Ramadhani (women's doubles), and Adrian Pratama/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu (mixed doubles) .
It is likely tha Japan will not change much of the composition that was revealed in the semifinals. Kenta Matsukawa/Daigo Tanioka in the men's doubles, Mei Sudo/Nao Yamakita (women's doubles), and in the mixed doubles there may also be a change in composition following the defeat of Daigo Tanioka/Maya Taguchi in the semifinals.
The strength of the two countries is quite balanced. In fact, it is possible that all five categories will be played in the finals. It’s a battle between two countries longing to quench their thirst of liting the Badminton Asia Junior Championships trophy – for Indonesia to win their first title, and for Japan to win again after 11 years. (*)
