11/16/2010 2010 Asian Games
There was a task to be completed and that task was duly completed in as most professional manner.
On home soil, China started as the favourites to win the Men’s Team event at the Asian Games in Guangzhou; on Tuesday 16th November 2010, they duly achieved the goal set and they achieved the goal with stunning efficiency and professionalism.
Earlier in the day, the Chinese trio of Li Xiaoxia, Guo Yan and Guo Yue had beaten Singapore in the Women’s Team final by three matches nil, without even dropping a single game. Against Korea, in the Men’s Team final, their male counterparts did exactly the same.
Selected Experience
Liu Guoliang, the head coach of the Chinese Men’s Team, took no risks; he opted for experience.
There was no place in the line up for 20 year old Xu Xin or 22 year old Zhang Jike. Instead Wang Hao and Ma Lin, both members of the successful Chinese gold medal winning team at the Beijing Olympics, were named to play the first two matches with Ma Long, the current world no.1, fulfilling the number three position.
Perfect Start
Motivated by the occasion and with the tiered seating packed with adoring fans, Wang Hao gave China the perfect start.
Unquestionably the crucial areas of table tennis are service, receive and first attack; in all three departments, Wang Hao was the master. He never allowed Oh Sang Eun to settle into his fluent rhythm; the Korean, like Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, has outstanding skills when the art of blocking is concerned; however, against the likes of Wang Hao that policy does not work.
The topspin play of Wang Hao was ultra consistent, in fact it allowed him to achieve a rhythm; a series of topspin strokes forced errors from the tall Korean.
A straight games victory was recorded and the juggernaut was rolling.
Penetrates Defence
Next into the arena came Ma Lin to face Joo Se Hyuk; the Korean delighted the crowd with his defensive skills but Ma Lin delighted them even more with his dynamite early attacks from the forehand.
Time and again, he directed the forehand attacks towards the backhand of Joo Se Hyuk, the Korean strove valiantly and on occasions took risk in trying to attack but to no avail.
The juggernaut was roiling even faster.
China two matches to nil ahead, Ma Long duly brought matters to a conclusion.
Swift Conclusion
He directed his attacking strokes towards the backhand of Lee Jung Woo with relentless precision, the left handed Korean penholder who is the last the breed using one side of the racket only, was forced into the passive role.
Ma Long won in straight games, Liu Guoliang with his assistants, Qin Zhijian and Wu Jianpeng stood to applaud, alongside Zhang Jike and Xu Xin as Ma Long returned to shake hands with his mentor.
The mission had been completed and completed in devastating style against a high class team, the bronze medallists at the Liebherr World Team Championships in earlier this year in May.
Both the Chinese Men’s Team and the Chinese Women’s Team had been superb, awesome performances.
Result
CHINA 3-0 KOREA
Wang Hao v Oh Sang Eun 11-7, 11-5, 11-8
Ma Lin v Joo Se Hyuk 11-3, 11-7, 11-9
Ma Long v Lee Jung Woo 11-9, 11-6, 11-4
Results and Schedules
Saturday 13th November 2010:
Men’s and Women’s Team Events: Group Stage
Sunday 14th November 2010:
Men’s and Women’s Team Events: Group Stage & Quarter-Finals
Source: ittf.com
