Harpal Singh Bedi in Jakarta
Indian men and women teams lost to Malaysia and Hong Kong respectively by identical 1-2 margins to be placed second in their pools but they were assured of a medal each in the squash competition at the Asian Games here on Thursday.
In women section Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa lost their matches but in between Sunayna won her tie but that was not enough to prevent India’s defeat.
Indian Women will play against formidable Malaysia who took the first spot in Pool A in Semifinal. In the evening in men’s Indian went down to Malaysia and will face Hong Kong in the semi final.
In the men’s team competition Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu put up a spirited fight before going down to Yow Eain Ng 3-2 ( 11-7,3-11, 11-8, 3-11,3-11) in 55 minutes.
Malaysia took 2-0 lead when Chee Wen Yuan beat Ramit Tandon 3-1 ( 11-8,9-11,12-10,11-7) in 50 minutes. Sourav Ghoshal however won the third match Mohd Nafizwan 3-2 (11-5,9-11,11-8,12-14,11-7)
Earlier in the morning , Sunayna , making her Games debut, was trailing 0-2 in the match and 7-10 in the fifth and deciding game but she never gave up despite some debatable calls by the referee. She fought till the last point for the biggest win of her career, prevailing 5-11, 13-15, 11-6, 11-9, 14-12.
After the energy sapping match, the Indian had tears in her eyes. But her winning effort went in vain . India, who had won a maiden silver at the Incheon Games, would have had a much easier match against Japan if they beat Hong Kong today. Beating defending champions Malaysia will be a huge task but it is possible, said Pallikal.
“Disappointed with the match. Both Joshna and I did not play our best squash. But it is still not over. We can beat Malaysia. It is not impossible. Of course, we would have preferred playing Japan and Malaysia in the semis,” said Pallikal.
Both Pallikal and Chinappa had settled for a bronze each in the singles event. A team bronze is assured but the team is aiming to go all the way. Malaysia are led by multiple time world champion Nicol David, whom Chinappa stunned in Egypt earlier this year.