Bahrain paddlers keep hopes alive

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s table tennis teams had mixed results yesterday in their opening teams’ category matches at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The men’s squad lost to Iran 0-3 but then defeated Mongolia 3-1 in their first two Group E ties in the men’s teams’ competition.

Meanwhile, the women’s squad bowed to Hong Kong 0-3 in their Group E contest of the women’s teams’ competition.

Both the Bahraini men and women still have a chance of advancing to their respective knockout rounds.

In the Bahraini men’s clash with Iran, Rashed Rashed lost to Seyedamirhossein Hodaei 0-3 (6-11, 9-11, 4-11) in the opener.

Alyas Alyassi then bowed to Iran’s Nima Alamian Darounkolaei 0-3 (4- 11, 6-11, 6-11); and then Bahrain’s Sayed Murtadha lost to Noshad Alamian Darounkolaei 0-3 (9-11, 1-11, 8-11).

In their later tie yesterday against Mongolia, Rashed kicked things off with a comefrom-behind 3-2 (14-12, 8-11, 14- 16, 11-6, 11-8) win over Temuulen Myandal.

Alyassi then narrowly lost to Ser-Od Gankhuyag 1-3 (4-11, 12-10, 9-11, 9-11); before Murtadha beat Manlaijarga l Munkh-Ochir 3-1 (11-6, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10).

Rashed then ensured the victory for Bahrain after d e f e a t i n g Gankhuya g 3 - 0 ( 1 1- 9, 11-8, 11- 8).

The Bahraini men conclude their Group E schedule today against Hong Kong and must win to solidify their chances of advancing to the next stage.

There are 20 nations competing in the men’s teams’ preliminaries.

They have been divided into six groups of three, with two of the groups consisting of four teams.

Group A features China, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia; Group B includes Japan, Nepal and North Korea; Group C comprises South Korea, Macao and Thailand; Group D consists of Chinese Taipei, Maldives and Kazakhstan; and Group F comprises India, Singapore, Yemen and Tajikistan.

Amongst the women, Maryam Alaali took a game from Hong Kong’s Ho Ching Lee in a hardfought 1-3 (2-11, 11-6, 2-11, 10-12) encounter.

Bahrain’s Amruta Phadke then lost to Chengzhu Zhu 0-3 (5-11, 3-11, 4-11); and Hong Kong closed the proceedings out when Fatima Alaali was defeated by Hoi Kem Doo 0-3 (4-11, 5-11, 3-11). The Bahraini women’s team are back in action today at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Gymnasium tables.

They wrap up their Group E campaign against Uzbekistan and must win to have a chance of qualifying for the next stage.

There are 18 nations competing in the women’s teams’ preliminary phase, divided into six groups of three. Group A features China, Macao and Kazakhstan; Group B includes Japan, Mongolia and Vietnam; Group C consists of Chinese Taipei, Maldives and North Korea; Group D consists of South Korea, Pakistan and Thailand; while Group F comprises Singapore, Nepal and India.

In both women’s and men’s teams’ competitions, the top two nations from each group and the four best third-placed squads at the end of their respective preliminaries move into the knockout stages.

The round of 16 and quarter-finals will be held tomorrow, with the semi-finals on Monday and the finals on Tuesday.

Also Monday, the mixed doubles competition gets underway, while the doubles and singles events for both the women and men begin from Wednesday.