India beats Hong Kong China, set to face Japan in quarters

India completed the group stage of the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships unbeaten with a 110-100 win over Hong Kong China and will face Japan in the quarterfinals

Hyderabad: India maintained an all-win record in the group stage of the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships in Indonesia by beating Hong Kong China 110-100 in the last Group D clash on Sunday to top the group standings.

India and Hong Kong China had already qualified for the knockout stage before they faced off on Sunday, but it was important to maintain the winning momentum, and India understandably fielded a strong squad against Hong Kong China.

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Rujula Ramu once again gave India a winning start by beating IP Sum Yau 11-8, and the world number 6 junior boys’ doubles combination of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu then extended the lead to 22-13 against Cheung Sai Shing and Deng Chi Fai.

Hong Kong’s Lam Ka To helped his team close the gap as he scored 13 points before Rounak Chouhan could take India’s tally to 33.

With just six points separating the two teams at 55-49 after five matches, junior world no. 1 Tanvi Sharma dominated Liu Hoi Kiu Anna in the second girls’ singles to once again put India in the driver’s seat by extending the lead to 66-54.

Though the next four matches were close, India kept their nose ahead and ensured that they topped the group. They will now face Japan in the quarterfinals on Monday.

Japan finished second behind Thailand in Group A.