by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
After Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon had suffered defeat at the hands of Dinh Quang Linh (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9) and Padasak Tanviriyavechakul had been beaten by Nguyen Anh Tu (11-8, 14-12, 11-3); Pattaratorn Passara overcame Doan Ba Tuan Anh (11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8).
“I knew if I could win we had a chance; I think the major reason I won was that I blocked well from the backhand and could create angles.” Pattaratorn Passara
The win lifted Thailand; Padasak Tanviriyavechakul, now highly motivated, accounted for Dinh Quang Linh (11-6, 12-14, 11-9, 11-5) to set the scene for Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon to complete the revival. Animated he succeeded, he overcame Nguyen Anh Tu in three tension packed games; it was much more difficult win than the margin of victory may suggest, there were nervous moments as emotions ran high (12-10, 11-9, 12-10).
“I changed my service and receive of service for the second match; I tried to be more positive. I am really tired; I only arrived back from Sweden yesterday”, Padasak Tanviriyavechakul
A quite dramatic encounter, somewhat in contrast to the one further quarter-final that was required; DPR Korea proved too strong for Malaysia. A three-nil result was the victory margin
Pak Sin Hyok set his team on the road to victory by beating Leong Chee Feng (11-6, 11-3, 11-7), before Kang Wi Hun defeated Muhamad Ashraf Haiqal (11-3, 11-13, 11-4, 11-5) and Ro Kwang Jin used his defensive skills to good effect to overcome Muhd Shakirin Ibrahim (11-7, 11-9, 11-7).
At the semi-final stage of the Men’s Team qualification event, DPR Korea faces Iran, Thailand confronts India.
