The Hindu : Sport / Badminton : India reaches play-off stage

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Saturday, Jun 16, 2007
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India reaches play-off stage

Glasgow: The Indian badminton team, missing some of its top players, recorded a major achievement when it reached the Division 3 play-off stage.

If India manages to beat France, the side will make Division 2 of the world team championships.

India beat host Scotland 4-1 to top the Division 3-Group B.

The mixed doubles pair of V. Diju and Aparna Balan recovered from an early deficit to beat Watson Briggs and Imogen Bankier 18-21, 21-16, 21-18 in 46 minutes. Saina Nehwal also had to endure some anxious moments before getting past Susan Hughes 21-15, 19-21, 21-12. Anup Sridhar also came back strongly to defeat Craig Goddard 19-21, 21-7, 21-11 to seal the tie for the Indians.

The men's doubles combination of Sanave Thomas and Rupesh Kumar then got the better of Briggs and Andrew Browman 21-14, 24-22 after saving game points in the second.

However, the scratch women's doubles pairing of Saina and Aparna lost the final match to Bankier and Emma Mason 21-13, 17-21, 21-14.

Thailand relegated

Meanwhile, Hong Kong retained a place in Division 1 after beating Thailand 3-2 in a play-off.

Thailand lost its place in the eight-strong Division one when it was beaten 3-2 in the relegation playoff. It will be replaced in the elite group in the next edition by Japan or Singapore.

A total of 48 countries have been taking part in the week-long tournament which ends on Sunday.

The results:

Division 1 Play-offs: Relegation: Hong Kong 3 bt Thailand 2; Fifth/sixth place: Denmark 3 Malaysia 2.

Division 3 Group B: India bt Scotland 4-1 (V. Diju & Aparna Balan bt Watson Briggs & Imogen Bankier 18-21, 21-16, 21-18; Saina Nehwal bt Susan Hughes 21-15, 19-21, 21-12; Anup Sridhar bt Craig Goddard 19-21, 21-7, 21-11; Sanave Thomas & Rupesh Kumar bt Watson Briggs & Andrew Browman 21-14, 24-22; Saina Nehwal & Aparna Balan lost to Imogen Bankier & Emma Mason 21-13, 17-21, 21-14). — Agencies

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