PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia struggle to find consistency in the women’s doubles camp, Japan are soaring comfortably in that department.
Japan, who sent their best women’s team for the Asia Team Championships, secured their spot in the semi-finals after battling past an under-strength China 3-2 at the Setia Alam Convention Centre yesterday.
While their first two singles players collapsed, world No. 6 doubles pair Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida and world No. 11 Rena Miyaura-Ayako Sakuramoto showed no mercy as they did their part to contribute points for the team.
Matsuyama-Shida defeated Li Yijing-Luo Xumin 13-21, 21-11, 21-13 while Miyaura-Sakuramoto thrashed Keng Shuliang-Zhang Chi 21-9, 21-10.
Earlier, Han Yue had beaten Aya Ohori 21-8, 21-11 in the first singles while Wang Zhiyi gave her team the lead once again after winning against Nozomi Okuhara 21-14, 22-24, 21-17 in the second singles.
Fortunately, Natsuki Nidaira stood solid to close out the match with a 22-20, 21-12 win against Chen Lu.
Matsuyama said the goal for the team was simple – to win.
“We came here to win the tournament. We are supporting each other and we want to win,” she said.
With three pairs of women’s doubles shuttlers in the top 10 of the world rankings, including Yuki Fukushima-Sayaka Hirota (7th) and Mayu Matsutomo-Wakana Nagahara (8th), Japan’s bid for the Paris Olympics is looking bright.
Matsuyama-Shida said the competition with their fellow compatriots were healthy and they were in support of each other’s success.
“When we chase for a win, the rest of the team members are also doing the same.
“We inspire and encourage each other as a team. And as a team, we want to move forward together,” Matsuyama said.
The only time Japan won gold at the Olympics in badminton was at the 2016 edition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil when Misaki Matsumoto-Ayaka Takahashi beat Denmark pair Christinna Pedersen-Kamilla Rytter Juhl in the final.
Looking at the competition heading to Paris in July, Matsuyama-Shida are confident they have what it takes to bring the fight to their opponents.
“We are at the level where we believe we can compete for the gold.”
Japan will face India in today’s semi-finals. India had beaten Hong Kong 3-0.
