India’s journey at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship ended in the quarterfinals after a disappointing 0-3 loss to Japan at the Qingdao Conson Sports Centre in China on Friday. The Indian team, which won bronze in the previous edition, struggled against a dominant Japanese side and failed to register a single win in the tie.
The opening match saw Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito outplay India’s Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto in the mixed doubles encounter. The Japanese duo started strong, using sharp net play and aggressive shot-making to take the first game 21-13.
Kapila and Crasto responded well in the second game, employing smarter placements and powerful smashes to level the match with a 21-17 win. However, Japan regained control in the decider, racing to an early lead and finishing the game 21-13, securing the first point of the tie.
In the women’s singles, Tomoka Miyazaki extended Japan’s lead with a commanding 21-12, 21-19 victory over Malvika Bansod. The Japanese shuttler dominated the first game with her quick movement and precise shot placement, leaving Bansod struggling to keep up.
The Indian shuttler put up a stronger fight in the second game, pushing Miyazaki with long rallies and even taking a lead at the mid-game interval. However, the Japanese player kept her composure in the crucial moments to seal the match in straight games, giving Japan a 2-0 lead.
With India on the brink of elimination, HS Prannoy took on Kenta Nishimoto in the men’s singles match, hoping to keep his team’s chances alive. Nishimoto started on the front foot, using deceptive strokes and strong court coverage to win the first game 21-14.
Prannoy fought back in the second game, showing resilience and attacking intent to claim a 21-15 victory, forcing a decider. However, Nishimoto took complete control in the third game, racing to an 11-3 lead at the interval and eventually closing out the match 21-12.
With Nishimoto’s win, Japan secured an unassailable 3-0 lead, eliminating India from the tournament and advancing to the semifinals.
After winning bronze in the previous edition, India had high hopes for a strong finish this time. However, their campaign ended without a podium finish, as Japan proved too strong in all three matches. The Indian team will now look to regroup and focus on upcoming international events as they aim to bounce back from this setback.
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