Singapore Fighting Hard – Chinese Express Unstoppable

The women’s team from Singapore is in the Olympic final of the Women’s Team event. The team from coach LIU Guodong beat Korea Republic 3-2 after 3 hours and 13 minutes. The Koreans have never been ahead during the final but proved a good fighting spirit.

Match-winner Feng Tianwei
In the opening match, Singapore’s FENG Tianwei smashed DANG Ye Seo. Defensive player KIM Kung Ah brought Korea back on track winning 11-9 in the fifth game against LI Jia Wei. "I am sorry I lost the first match, but I played well in the double”, LI Jia Wei said apologising. The double went 3-0 to Singapore. “Their style in double is very awkward. We lost to them last time we played I am really happy we won this time. We fought to today’s contest as it was the final”, LI was quotes after the match.

DANG Ye Seo, world ranked no. 26 beat WANG Yue Gu (no. 7) in the forth match in three close games. The last match between Korea’s second defensive player PARK Mi Young and FENG Tianwei therefore had to decide about who will play the final on Sunday.

“I am excited now”, a happy FENG Tianwei told journalists after she had beaten PARK 3-1. “It is our team efforts that have won the contest. Everybody has to put in its best. After I lost the third set, I had to be patient and wait for an opportunity to attack. Everyone was nervous and remaining calm during the battle proved an advantage to me."


China in 52 Minutes
The second semi-final in the evening session was precisely the opposite of the first one. China’s women proved once again their superiority. World number one ZHANG Yining started irresistibly conceding her adversary TIE Yana (no. 10) only 14 points in three games.

China’s express rolled on with world number two and reigning world singles champion GUO Yue. The twenty year old never let a doubt against LIN Ling that she would win the mach.

Chapter three in a one-sided semi-final wrote again ZHANG Yining with her partner WANG Nan (no. 5 in the world). LAU Sui Fei and LIN Ling only had a small chance in the second game when it was 9-9. If China plays the same way on Sunday, the chances that the gold medal goes to Singapore will only be minimal.

Voices after the Match China vs. Hong Kong China
Singapore’s LIN Ling was very honest after the defeat against China. “After today’s contest, it is obvious that there is still a significant gap between their skills and ours.”
Coach LI Huifen also had to admit: “We have evolved and improved, but China has improved greatly too. We have changed our battle tactics but they (China) seem to be always one step ahead of us.”

China’s coach SHI Zhihao said: “We are familiar with the Hong Kong China team. I guess you can say that they did not play to their full capability today. Both technically and mentally, our team members prepared well.” The coach further took pressure from the shoulders of his protégées for the final. “We are not playing to ‘protect’ Gold. It is the first time there has been a Team Gold in (Olympic) table tennis. So we are playing to ‘gain’ Gold.”
World number one ZHANG Yining was quoted: “I don’t think we played perfectly. I just played according to my style. I thought about every ball and my technique rather than about the opponent.” GUO Yue however confessed: “It was easier than I expected.”