China and Indonesia cruised into the final of the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships 2023, setting up a repeat of their 2019 title bout.
China, who lost to Indonesia in the quarterfinals last year, will be looking to regain the Suhandinata Cup that they’ve won 13 times, the last in 2018.
In the semifinals on Friday, China and Indonesia enjoyed smooth passage over their opponents Malaysia and Chinese Taipei respectively.
Liao Pin Yi/Zhang Jia Han needed less than 30 minutes to give China the lead in mixed doubles over Low Han Chen/Chan Wen Tse. Malaysia’s Eogene Ewe was in striking distance in the opening game against Hu Zhe An, but the Chinese shot past in the second and China were 2-0 up.
Xu Wen Jing of China
Xu Wen Jing sealed the tie for China in the women’s singles over Siti Zulaikha, 21-17 21-18, in 39 minutes.
“It was a team effort, and I’m proud to have clinched the tie for China. It has been a long time since China won the title, and hopefully we can do it this time,” said Xu.
“There was a de-brief after our quarterfinal loss last year. We’ve learnt our lessons from that defeat. Losing itself is not worrisome, but it becomes worrisome if we don’t improve.”
The opening match of the Indonesia-Chinese Taipei tie was keenly fought, with Jonathan Farrell Gosal/Priskila Venus Elsadai overcoming Bao Xin Da Gu La Wai/Chung Chia En 24-26 21-19 21-16 in 56 minutes.
Alwi Farhan used his attacking game to good effect against Ma Cheng-Yi, managing to complete the victory in straight games after his opponent had come within a point at 18-19 in the second game.
Alwi Farhan celebrates his win
“My opponent was a bit tentative, and that gave me confidence,” said Farhan. “I made many mistakes in the second game and he was able to come close. He has a good defensive game; we’d played once in 2019 so I knew what his game was like. I just had to keep my attack. I’m very happy to get the point for Indonesia.”
Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari gave the winning point to Indonesia, but it was a close contest all the way, with Peng Yu Wei holding the lead in both games.
“I wasn’t at my best because I’m carrying some small injuries, but I’m happy that I could take my country to the final,” said Puspitasari.
Semifinal Results
China bt Malaysia 3-0; Indonesia bt Chinese Taipei 3-0
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