Published on May 13, 2005

[BADMINTON] Thailand, resting their best players including Athens Olympics semi-finalist Boonsak Ponsana, suffered a disappointing 1-4 loss to England in their final Group 1A tie in the Sudirman Cup World Mixed Teams Badminton Championships in Beijing yesterday.

In the first tie in the mixed doubles, the new Thai pairing of Songpol Anukrittiyawan and Kulchara Worawichitchaikul proved strong opponents for world No 1 Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms.

However, the champions at the Swiss Open and All-England proved a cut above the Thais, powering past their less-experienced rivals 15-6 17-15 to collect the first point for England.

Thai No 3 Poompat Sapkul-chananart replaced Boonsak in the men’s singles and performed superbly against Englishman Nicholas Kidd, the world No 34, winning 15-9 15-12.

In the women’s singles, Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn came on for Salakjit Ponsana.

Sujitra wasn’t able to get anywhere near her top form in the crucial tie against old foe Tracey Hallam, who beat her in the final of the 2001 Thailand Open. She went down tamely 3-11 2-11 in 31 minutes.

Patapol Ngernsrisuk and Songpol lost 15-9, 0-15 3-15 to Anthony Clark and Robert Blair. The loss helped England to seal victory. In thewomen’s doubles, England’s Gail Emms and Donna Kellogg beat Sathinee Chank-rajangwong and Kulchara 15-2 15-13.

The Nation, Agencies

Post your comment to this story here