CHENNAI: So near yet so far! The line perfectly sums up India’s display in the 2017 Asian Championships in Wuxi, China, on Monday. After a spirited display, they went down 2-3 to World No 2 Japan in a three-and-a-half-hour plus slugfest in the quarterfinals of the Champion Division.
India started off in the best possible way as World No 84 Soumyajit Ghosh overcame World No 24 Yuya Oshima 3-2. Top-ranked paddler A Sharath Kamal (53) next faced Koki Niwa (13). Sharath squandered a match point and eventually lost 2-3.
Harmeet Desai (100) met Kenta Matsudaira (19) and got off to a flyer, winning the first two games before losing the third. He had two match points in the third, but could not capitalise and lost the encounter 2-3. Sharath got India back in the contest with a 3-2 win over Oshima before Soumyajit lost to Koki to hand the tie to Japan.
“It was the best display by an India team in recent times. Coach Massimo Costantini called us for a team meeting after the game to tell us how far we have improved. He said we are very close to the top, and it’s only a matter of time before we reach there,” Harmeet told Express.
Soumyajit echoed the same thoughts before adding that lack of experience ultimately cost India. “Japan have the best facilities on offer. Pushing them to the limit shows we are not far behind. However, we lack the experience they have which helps them win crucial points. Also the belief that we can overcome higher-ranked opponents is missing. With extra exposure in Pro-Tour events and international practice, I’m sure we will be there and thereabouts soon.”
Earlier, Sharath helped India beat Thailand 3-1 in the semifinals of the First Division to set up a final against North Korea. They have two matches coming up on Tuesday. Apart from the final, they will be resuming their Champion Division duties with a 5-8 classification match against Hong Kong.
“Our aim will be to win the final like last time. The Hong Kong clash is key. Our aim is to finish in the top 6. That will enable us to start from the Champion Division next time as well as help avoid the likes of China and Japan,” Harmeet signed off.
Women’s results: Semifinals: India 1-3 Taiwan (Mouma Das lost to Cheng I-Ching 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 10-12, 6-11; Manika Batra lost to Chen Szu-Yu 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 3-11, 6-11; Madhurika Patkar bt Cheng Hsien-Tzu 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 14-12; Manika lost to Cheng 8-11, 14-12, 3-11, 9-1).
ayantan@newindianexpress.com