Indian men and women in semi-finals of Asian Team Squash Championship

Indian men and women in semi-finals of Asian Team Squash Championship

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Image Courtesy: © Facebook - Dipika Pallikal

After the low on Thursday, the men and women rose to make it a memorable day today and helped India move into the semifinal of the Asian team squash championship being held in Chinese Taipei. The men's team defeated Malaysia 2-0, while the women's team beat Sri Lanka 3-0 to enter the semi-final.

The loss to Japan yesterday had the men dropping their heads, but their chins were up after a stupendous 2-0 win over the higher seeded Malaysia in the quarterfinal. Both Kush Kumar and Harinder Pal Sandhu lifted their games and played outstandingly according to National Coach Cyrus Poncha. It was Kush, who entered the court first and straightway went into a tight line and length in his drives and returns. Inspiring confidence and giving his teammates enough to cheer Kush went from strength to strength to demolish his opponent Mohammad Kamal in straight games.

There was tension still as Harinder went in next. After his none too assuring show against Japan, the captain needed to show his mettle and that is exactly what he did. Never having beaten Ivan Yuen in the previous five times the two had met, the odds were in the Malaysian's favour. The higher world ranked Ivan, however, has been having a rotten time in this championship and Harinder made the most of his rival's discomfiture with a brilliant display of steady squash. Only in the third game when on 10-6 and match ball did Harinder look nonplussed and gave Ivan the opportunity to catch up and what is more be on game-ball. But the Indian bounced back in time to grab that game on extended points and in the process the match too amidst all round cheers, reports Poncha. India now faces Pakistan in the semi-final.

The women too, after the loss to Malaysia yesterday, needed to do well. However, it was an easy outing against Sri Lanka and they returned as 3-0 winners to finish second in the group. India now faces top seed Hong Kong in the criss-cross semi-final and that on all accounts will be a tough contest.

The results: Men: quarterfinal: India bt Malaysia 2-0 (Kush Kumar bt Mohammad Syafiq Kamal 11-4, 11-7, 11-4; Harinder Pal Sandhu bt IvanYuen 11-9, 11-6, 13-11; Women: India beat Sri Lanka 3-0 (Joshna Chinappa bt Mihiliya Methsarani 11-3, 11-3, 11-7; Dipika Karthik bt Fathima Naushaard Issadeen 11-2,11-2,11-7; Sachika Ingale bt Hettiachi Kasuni Malkini Gunawardene 11-7 11-6, 11-5)

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