Date:16/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/16/stories/2006021603641900.htm

Sport

Indian women stun Thailand

Rakesh Rao

JAIPUR: Exceeding all expectations, Indian women bounced back to trounce their higher-ranked counterparts from Thailand 3-2 and ignited some hope of qualifying to the next stage of the Uber Cup badminton tournament at the Sawai Man Singh Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday.

If the experience of Aparna Popat came handy in giving India the opening singles, the exuberance of debutant Saina Nehwal was instrumental in putting the finishing touches to the tie. In between, another first-timer Aparna Balan and the more experienced B. R. Meenakshi surprised all by stunning Thailand's scratch combination of Kulchala Worawichitchaikul and Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn to keep India alive.

Rare victory

Significantly, India's rare victory over the traditionally stronger Thailand was its first in 16 years and third in as many meetings at home. India won 4-1 in 1984 and 3-2 in 1988, both in New Delhi.

For India to qualify for the 12-nation Finals at Tokyo in May, a victory over Singapore is a must on Friday. On Thursday, India plays hot favourite Hong Kong in Uber Cup and Singapore in Thomas Cup.

Though Vimal Kumar was quick to praise young Aparna Balan for her steady hands while serving in the crucial doubles match, the contributions of Aparna Popat and Saina were no less significant.

Finding the touch slowly

Aparna Popat took time to get used to the new 21-point format and found her rhythm only after losing the first game. Before long, Aparna posted her second successive victory over Salakjit Ponsana in three meetings. After G. Jwala and Shruti Kurien lost tamely and Trupti Murgunde blew away her chances against 32nd ranked Monthila Meemek, Aparna Balan and Meenakshi rallied from 8-10 in the decider to pull off a totally unexpected victory.

Then it was up to Saina to live up to the rising expectations of a vociferous crowd and her teammates. Saina, who was part of the 2004 Uber Cup team but did not get to play, led from the start against Soratja, placed 30 places above at 79. Even when Soratja forced extra points in the second game, Saina held her nerves and gave nothing away to complete a memorable triumph.

Easy for Indonesian men

In Thomas Cup, there was no surprise. Watched by eight-time All England champion Rudy Hartono, the reigning World and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat escaped to a 23-21, 18-21, 21-16 victory Vietnam's Nguyen Tien Minh in the opening singles as Indonesia won 5-0.

The results (league): Thomas Cup: Group `A': Malaysia bt Pakistan 5-0; Iran bt Nepal 4-1.

Group `B': Indonesia bt Vietnam 5-0.

Group `C': Hong Kong leads Singapore 2-1.

Group `D': Korea bt Sri Lanka 5-0.

Uber Cup: Group `Y': Korea leads Indonesia 3-0; Chinese Taipei bt Malaysia 3-2; Indonesia bt Iran 5-0; Chinese Taipei bt Iran 5-0.

Group `Z': India bt Thailand 3-2 (Aparna Popat bt Salakjit Ponsana 12-21, 21-19, 21-18; G. Jwala and Shruti Kurian lost to Saralee Thungthongkam and Sathinee Chankrachangwong 11-21, 15-21; Trupti Murgunde lost to Monthila Meemek 19-21, 15-21; B. R. Meenakshi and Aparna Balan bt Kulchala Worawichitchaikul and Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn 13-21, 21-16, 21-15; Saina Nehwal bt Sarotja Chansrisukot 21-17, 22-20); Singapore bt Pakistan 5-0.