Superb venue in Korea
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad International Correspondent
Hong Kong China claimed both the men’s and women’s titles in the Asian Squash Team Championships for the first time in the event’s 37-year history in the 2018 championships in Cheongju in the Republic of Korea.
The 19th staging of the biennial event attracted 15 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams from China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Hosts Korea made history in the women’s championship by reaching the final for the first time after upsetting second seeds Japan in the semi-finals.
However, Hong Kong were too strong for the fifth seeds, winning 2-0. Hong Kong number one Annie Au beat Korean Ahn Eun Tschan 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 before Joey Chan came back from a game down to beat Lee Ji Hyun 8-11, 11-0, 11-2, 11-7.
The victory marked Hong Kong’s fifth women’s title in their seventh final appearance in the last eight events. The bronze medals went to Japan and Malaysia.
The men’s final was a repeat of the last Asian Team Championships two years ago in Chinese Taipei, but this time favourites Hong Kong gained revenge over title-holders Pakistan to beat the second seeds 2-0.
Max Lee put Hong Kong ahead in the opening match after defeating Farhan Zaman 11-9, 11-9, 11-7. Though Leo Au dropped the second game to Tayyab Aslam, the Hong Kong No.2 fought back to claim victory 11-6, 8-11, 11-0, 11-7 and clinch the historic first ever men’s gold medal for the team.
“This is a massive achievement and it proved that our bronze medal at the World Championships last year was no fluke,” Lee later told the South China Morning Post.
Iran also made history by winning its first-ever bronze medal in the Asian Team Championships after the fifth seeds beat Japan in the quarter-finals. Malaysia also finished co-third.
“Korea Squash Federation is very happy to see so many teams showing their support and coming to Cheongju to participate in the Championships. We are also thrilled to see our women’s team win the first-ever silver medal in the hometown. It is very encouraging,” said Ms Heo Tae-sook, President of Korea Squash Federation.
David Mui, the ASF President was grateful to Korea Squash Federation for hosting the Asian Championships: “The Cheongju International Squash Stadium that was used for the championships is superb. There are seven single courts with glass back wall and one all-glass court, which make it a perfect venue for both training and competition. The event was also well organised.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Korea Squash Federation, who made the Championships all the success. My thanks would also be extended to all the officials, referees and helpers.”
At the 38th ASF AGM, which was held during the championships, the Mongolian Squash Federation became an ASF member.
Asian Squash Team Championships, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
Men’s semi-finals:
[1] HONG KONG CHINA bt [5] IRAN 2-0
[2] PAKISTAN bt [4] MALAYSIA 2/0
Final:
[1] HONG KONG CHINA bt [2] PAKISTAN 2-0
Max Lee bt Farhan Zaman 11-9, 11-9, 11-7
Leo Au bt Tayyab Aslam 11-6, 8-11, 11-0, 11-7
Remaining positions: 3rd MALAYSIA & IRAN; 5th REPUBLIC OF KOREA; 6th SINGAPORE; 7th QATAR; 8th JAPAN; 9th PHILIPPINES; 10th IRAQ; 11th JORDAN; 12th CHINA; 13th SRI LANKA; 14th THAILAND; 15th CHINESE TAIPEI
Women’s semi-finals:
[1] HONG KONG CHINA bt [3] MALAYSIA 2-0
[5] REPUBLIC OF KOREA bt [2] JAPAN 2/1
Final:
[1] HONG KONG CHINA bt [5] REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2-0
Annie Au bt Ahn Eun Tschan 11-4, 11-5, 11-5
Joey Chan bt Ji-Hyun Lee 8-11, 11-0, 11-2, 11-7
Remaining positions: 3rd: JAPAN & MALAYSIA; 5th CHINA; 6th IRAN; 7th SRI LANKA; 8th PAKISTAN; 9th SINGAPORE; 10th CHINESE TAIPEI; 11th THAILAND
Pictures courtesy of WSF