Date:05/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/05/stories/2006110508821600.htm

Sport - Badminton

India loses to Japan

New Delhi: India went down 1-3 to Japan in the Asian junior badminton championship play-off match and will now take on Thailand for the seventh place at Incheon, South Korea.

The only Indian to score a win in the five-match tie was Saina Nehwal, who defeated Yukina Oku 21-9, 21-13.

India started on a losing note with Srujan Nandaluri going down to Kenichi Tago 10-21, 10-21 in the boys' singles event.

Saina then drew level before Japan won the next two matches to close out the tie.

Jisnu Sanyal and Akhshay Dewalkar put up a strong fight against Naohiro Matsukwa and Kazuya Itani before losing 24-26, 16-21 in the boys' doubles clash.

Ashwini Ponappa and Tarun lost to Ueda Takuma and Megumi Taruno 11-21, 15-21 in the mixed doubles encounter. — PTI