Badminton Asia Junior Championships: India book quarterfinal berth with 3-2 win over Philippines

Yogyakarta [Indonesia], June 29 (ANI): India sealed its spot in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championship with a 3-2 win over the Philippines in their second Group C clash in Yogyakarta on Saturday.

The Indian team, which had blanked Vietnam 5-0, in their tournament opener, made a couple of changes to their line-up with Rounak Chauhan replacing Pranay Shettigar in boy’s singles and K Vennala combining with Shravani Walekar in girls doubles.

Senior Nationals runners-up Tanvi Sharma started India’s march with a 21-9, 21-17 win over Funtespina Christel Rei but Chauhan could not maintain the momentum after winning the opening game against Jamal Rahmat Pandi and lost 15-21, 21-18, 21-12.

Vennala and Shravani then put India ahead once again as they defeated Hernandes Andrea and Pecious Libaton 23-21, 21-11 in 39 minutes.

The boys doubles combination of Arsh Mohammad and Sankar Sarawat then put the result beyond doubt with a 21-16, 21-14 win over Christian Dorega and John Lanza.

The mixed doubles pair of Bhargav Ram Arigela and K Vennala lost the final rubber.

India will now face hosts Indonesia to decide the group winner on Sunday. Indonesia are also through to the quarterfinal having beaten the Philippines 5-0 and Vietnam 4-1 in their two group matches.

Earlier, India started their Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships with a thumping 5-0 win over Vietnam in their Group C opener at Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on Friday.

The mixed doubles combination of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Vennala K came back from a game down to beat Pham Van Truong and Bui Bich Phuong 17-21, 21-19, 21-17 to put India ahead.

Pranay Shettigar then defeated Tran Quoc Khanh 10-21, 21-18, 21-17 to double India’s lead and senior nationals finalist Tanvi Sharma then wrapped up the match with a 21-13, 21-18 win over Tran Thi Anh.