Thomas Cup 2022: Indonesia, South Korea advance to QF after marathon ordeals
It was as if it was not going to end. The second day of the BWF Thomas Cup Finals 2022 went past midnight just to determine the winners of Group A matches.
South Korea holds off pesky Singapore
Korea claimed the middle matches to put away Singapore, 3-2.
Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae outlasted Terry Hee and Loh Kean Hean, 15-21, 21-17, 21-19 in a match that went an hour and four minutes. Jeon Hyeok-jin then overcame Jason Teh after 78 minutes in the second singles, 14-21, 21-13, 21-14.
The Koreans took the head-to-head against the southeast Asian squad when Choi Sol-gyu and Kim Won-ho defeated Wesley Koh and Kubo Junsuke, 21-14, 21-13.
Indonesia disposes host and SEA rival
Kunlavut Vitidsarn was the lone bright spot for Thailand, beating higher ranked Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, 21-12, 15-21, 21-9, in 72 minutes. However, that is the only victory the tournament host can muster as Indonesia grabbed the next four.
Men’s doubles world number two Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan were taken to the limit by 303rd-ranked Nanthakarn Yordphaisong and Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn before eventually emerging on top after 59 minutes, 21-12, 26-28, 21-11. Jonatan Christie followed suit by averting Kantaphon Wangcharoen in almost an hour, 22-20, 21-16.
The Indonesians managed to breathe easy after Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Bagas Maulana won against Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, 24-22 21-11. Shesar Hiren Rhustavito closed out the extended session by knocking off Sitthikom Thammasin, 21-19, 21-14.
The two victors will meet at Court 1 on May 11, 2pm, to determine which would head the group going into the knockout stages.
Author Details
JP is an all-around sportswriter who covered the Bingo Bonanza Philippine Gold Grand Prix 2009. Aside from BWF badminton he follows football, basketball, and pro wrestling.
