Badminton: England get bashing from China

May 11, 2009

England’s badminton team were thrashed 5-0 by China in Group 1B of the first day of the Sudirman Cup world team championships.

The all-powerful Chinese dispatched England with ease in the opening day of the tournament in Guangzhou, showing the world why they are the hot favourites to win the cup for the seventh time this year.

The defeat by the six-time world mixed team champions proved to be an action replay for England, with the same score line as two years ago when they met China in the group stages before recovering to win a bronze medal in Glasgow.

Team manager Julian Robertson said: “The Chinese just keep coming at you and play at a relentless tempo. But our athletes have to learn to stay with them.”

In the closest contest Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg were defeated 21 -14 21 -14 by China’s Olympic bronze medallists He Hanbin and Yu Yang in the mixed doubles.

Making her debut at the competition, 19 year old Sarah Walker faced Denmark and French open winner Wang Lin in the women’s singles. Lin proved to be a strong competitor, beating Walker 21 – 15 21 – 11.

However, The British number ten, was singled out by both Robertson and GB and England Performance Director Ian Moss.

Moss said: “She played well. This was a good learning experience for her and for the other young players.”

The whitewash continued in the Women’s doubles as Gabrielle White and Jenny Wallwork were beaten by Zhang Yawen and Zhao Tingting 21 -12 21 -11.

England, who are ranked 6^th in the competition, will now play Indonesia.

Other results from the competition:

Group 1A: Korea 3 Malaysia 2, Denmark 3 Hong Kong 2.
Group 1B: Indonesia 4 Japan 1
Group 2A: Chinese Taipei 4 Germany 1, Thailand 4 France 1
Group 3A: USA 3 Czech Republic 2, Sweden 3 Bulgaria 2
Group 4A: Philippines 4 South Africa 1, Turkey 5 Luxembourg 0
Group 4B: Iceland 3 Portugal 2, Sri Lanka 5 Mongolia 0.

Hannah Galloway, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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