Advertisement
Advertisement

Veteran Chan leads HK to medals

Rob Woollard

Veteran Chan Tan-lui led her young side into the semi-finals of the women's team table tennis tournament last night, guaranteeing the SAR of at least a bronze medal regardless of how they perform in the last four.

Chan, who with former doubles partner Chai Po-wa formed the spine of so many Hong Kong teams in the past, has quickly adapted to life after Chai and is relishing the challenge in what will almost certainly be her last Asian Games.

Last night, Hong Kong's women disposed of Vietnam with a minimum of fuss at the Thammasat table tennis venue and, with China beating Japan also in Group A, Hong Kong and China will be playing for top spot in the group when the two teams meet in the final pool game this morning.

Hong Kong warmed up for today's game in style with their emphatic 3-0 victory against the Vietnamese. Chan led the way, winning her opening game against Ngo Thu-tuy in whirlwind fashion 21-8, 21-15.

The ease with which she saw off her opponent inspired Wong Ching in the next game, with the Hong Kong girl comfortably outclassing Nguyen Mai-thy 21-4, 21-12.

Song Ah-sim ended the contest in the third rubber, winning 21-12, 21-13 against Nguyen Ngoc-uyen.

The performances of Chan's teammates have left the old stager cautiously optimistic about the SAR's chances in the remainder of the competition.

'We have a very young team this time. When I used play with Chai we had more experience,' said Chan. 'But I think we are playing quite well as a team and it is still good that we have reached the semi-finals.

'I don't know what it will be like against China, but they are very, very strong and will not give us many chances . . . if they do give us chances, we have to take them.' Chan will partner Song in the doubles competition later in the tournament, and although she has teamed up with the youngster before, she admitted last night that playing with a new partner after so many years with Chai takes some adjusting.

'I played with Chai for so long. It is still strange with her not being around,' Chan said of her retired former partner. 'But Song and I have a good teamwork together and I hope we can do well.' Hong Kong coach Wong Man-wa says he is hoping to avoid the Taiwanese in the semi-finals.

'They have a good team, but I think our best chance will be against North Korea. We know more about them,' he said.

In the men's team event yesterday, Hong Kong bounced back from their defeat against North Korea to register a comfortable 3-0 win against Laos. Tang Kwok-kei eased to a 21-5, 21-9 win against Khammanh Simmavong in the first rubber, while Yung To-lung always looked in command in his 21-10, 21-7 win against Vilaphong Kongphet.

Chu Chun-hung wrapped up the Group B win with a 21-16, 21-7 defeat of Sayarath Phimmasone.

Post