China to face Indonesia again in badminton quarters

China to face Indonesia again in badminton quarters

Luck was not on Indonesia's side on Tuesday as hours after suffering a crushing 5-0 defeat to China, they were drawn to meet the eight-time Sudirman Cup champions again, this time in the quarter-finals.

Yuswandari Aprilia of Indonesia hits a return against Li Xuerui of China during their match at the 2013 Sudirman Cup world mixed team badminton championships in Kuala Lumpur on May 21, 2013.

Germany, who stunned hosts Malaysia 3-2, were matched against South Korea, while Taiwan will meet Denmark, and Thailand will face Japan in the other quarter-finals on Thursday.

Germany qualified for the last eight of the Sudirman Cup on Tuesday, when they upset third seeds Malaysia in a tight encounter, which went to the wire.

The Group C match lasted close to five hours before Birgit Michels and Johanna Golsizewski defeated Woon Khe Wei and Vivian Hoo 21-16, 16-21, 21-18 to clinch the tie for the European champions.

Earlier in the day, China, who are chasing their fifth consecutive title, trounced Indonesia 5-0 to top Group A. Chinese coach Li Yongbo said his team is ready to meet anyone in the quarter-finals.

"Anyone will do. It doesn't matter. We are ready to face anyone," the 50-year-old said.

Meanwhile, Indonesian manager Rexy Mainaky said after the draw that his team hoped to be stronger on Thursday after fielding some of their reserves on Tuesday.

"It is a fate we have to accept. We have to do our best and try to stop them this time," he said.

South Korean spokesman Greg Kim said his team "should reach" the semi-finals.

"Germany are a strong team as proven by beating Malaysia. They, however, are not a complete team and will be the underdogs," he said.

The winners of the South Korea-Germany tie will face the winners of the Japan and Thailand encounter, while Indonesia or China will take on either Denmark or Taiwan in the semi-finals.

Also Tuesday, South Korea beat Thailand 5-0 in Group B, while Japan edged Denmark 3-2 in Group D in a thrilling encounter, which lasted more than five hours.

Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi ousted last year's Malaysia Open champions Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl 22-20, 21-16 in the women's doubles to deliver Japan's winning point.

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