Jepun mengukuhkan lagi status sebagai kuasa besar Asia dalam sukan badminton apabila menumpaskan Korea Selatan dalam final Kejohanan Badminton Berpasukan Campuran Asia dengan keputusan 3-0, hari ini.
Selepas mengejutkan China di peringkat separuh akhir, Jepun makin berkeyakinan untuk menundukkan Korea dalam perlawanan akhir.
Beregu lelaki Jepun, Takeshi Kamura dan Keigo Sonoda memulakan langkah kanan buat skuad Negara Matahari Terbit itu apabila menundukkan beregu Korea, Yoo Yeon Seong-Kim Gi Jung, 21-15, 21-16.
Selepas itu, pemain perseorangan wanita, Akane Yamaguchi mempamer aksi menakjubkan, terutama dalam set kedua untuk mengatasi lawan, Sung Ji Hyun, 22-20, 23-21.
Pemain perseorangan, Kenta Nishimoto, mengesahkan kemenangan buat Jepun dengan menewaskan Jeon Hyeok Jin 21-13, 21-16 untuk dinobatkan sebagai juara edisi sulung dengan kemenangan 3-0.
“Saya menjangkakan perlawanan yang sukar, segalanya serba menjadi buat kami,” ujar ketua jurulatih pasukan Jepun, Park Joo Bong.
“Saya hampir tewas dalam set kedua selepas lawan mendahului dengan 12 mata, namun saya menguatkan diri saya dan berjaya mengatasi lawan dan menyumbang mata kedua buat Jepun,” kata Akane.
Ammar Hakim
Sun Feb 19 2017
Sinner joins Alcaraz in withdrawing from Italian Open
Jannik Sinner would have been a fan favourite in Rome, but the world number two has had to withdraw from the Italian Open.
Verstappen clinches sprint victory at Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton hit with penalty
Max Verstappen won the sprint race ahead of Charles Leclerc at the Miami Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton was hit with a 20-second penalty.
Terzic hopeful of Wembley send-off for Dortmund hero Reus
Marco Reus is to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, which could culminate in a Champions League final at Wembley.
Bayern Munich defender Guerreiro doubtful for Real Madrid match - Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel provided updates on the fitness of Raphael Guerreiro and Eric Dier following Bayern Munich's Bundesliga defeat to Stuttgart.
Pochettino: Chelsea facing 'most dangerous' game against West Ham
Chelsea will be looking for back-to-back Premier League wins when they take on London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
Celtic 3-0 Hearts: Kyogo sends hosts six points clear of Rangers
With the Old Firm derby to come next week, Celtic put the pressure on Rangers in the title race by defeating Hearts.
Red Bull designer Newey 'flattered' by Hamilton interest in Ferrari link-up
Red Bull and Adrian Newey will part ways, with Lewis Hamilton interested in working with the designer at Ferrari in future.
Sheffield United 1-3 Nottingham Forest: Hudson-Odoi gives visitors huge survival boost
Nottingham Forest took a big step towards Premier League survival as they won while their two relegation rivals failed to get three points.
Real Madrid 3-0 Cadiz: Ancelotti's side on brink of clinching LaLiga title
Jude Bellingham added to his goals tally for the season as Real Madrid eased to a 3-0 win over Cadiz in LaLiga.
NBA: Magic survive 'special' Mitchell onslaught to force series decider in Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell scored 50 points but that was not enough to drag the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Orlando Magic.