Hong Kong heartbreak as women’s team crash out to Germany in table tennis quarter-finals

Hong Kong crashed out of the women’s Olympic table tennis team event at the quarter-final stage after falling 3-1 to Germany at Riocentro Pavilion 3 on Saturday.

Han Yi gave the Germans victory when she defeated veteran Tie Yana 3-1 in the fourth rubber to give her team a surprise triumph and a place in the semi-finals against Japan.

Hong Kong’s men’s team, however, are still in the competition after easily defeating Australia 3-0 in their opening round match. But they face a tough quarter-final clash against Japan, who will start as favourites to progress into the last four.

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In the women’s match, Hong Kong started with Lee Ho-ching in the opening singles. But she was unable to give her side the start they needed, going down 3-0 to Han, whose chopping style caused the Hong Kong players all sorts of problems.

Teenager Doo Hoi-kem gave Hong Kong hope, along with some heart-stopping moments, as she saved a number of match points against Perissa Solja before edging her contest 3-2 to level the overall score at 1-1.

Solja and Shan Xiaona were always in control of the doubles against Lee and Tie Yana with Hong Kong squandering two game points in the third to hand Germany a 2-1 overall lead.

Hong Kong coach Li Ching decided to replace Lee, Hong Kong’s weak link so far in the match, with 37-year-old Tie for the reverse singles against Han.