TABLE TENNIS – BAHRAIN had mixed fortunes yesterday in the men’s teams competition of the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships, which is being held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The kingdom’s representatives powered past Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in their opening group three match to make a winning start to the tournament, being held under the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) banner.
But they then lost to Hong Kong with a 0-3 score line, thus ending their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals and staying in medal contention.
The trio of Mohamed Saleh, Rashed Sanad, and Husain Murtadha gave the Bahrainis their overall victory against Kyrgyzstan.
Saleh first outclassed Talgat Sagyndykov 11-3, 11-3, 11-5 to earn the early match advantage, and then Sanad overcame a tough challenge from Marlen Alimkulov 11-5, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6. Murtadha then sealed the sweep after beating Eldiiarbek Gaipov 11-7, 11-7, 11-6.
After the nationals’ strong showing, they tried to maintain their winning ways but went down fighting to their highly touted Hong Kong opponents.
Muartadha lost the first contest to Wong Chun Ting 8-11, 6-11, 1-11. Sanad then came close to upsetting Chan Baldwin, leading twice before succumbing to his highly rated rival 11-6, 8-11, 12-10, 5-11, 7-11. Hong Kong’s triumph was completed when Saleh lost to Lam Siu Hang 11-5, 3-11, 6-11, 10-12.
Following both of Bahrain’s matches yesterday, they finished second in their group behind Hong Kong, who breezed past Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in the other divisional fixture. Baldwin beat Alimkulov 11-1, 11-3, 11-1; Yiu Kwan To ousted Atai Kasymov 11-5, 11-5, 11-8; and Lam defeated Nursultan Zarylbek 11-3, 11-8, 11-2.
As per tournament rules, only the group winners in this stage move on to play for a chance to join the top six teams from the previous Asian championships – China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, India, and Chinese Taipei – in the quarter-finals of the championship division.
With Hong Kong through, Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan will play in a knockout system for their final ranking position amongst the men’s teams.
Bahrain’s squad in Astana features four players in all. Mohammed Nader Alaali is also flying the kingdom’s flag.
The Bahraini delegation that has travelled to the Kazakh capital is headed by Bahrain Table Tennis Association secretary general Jaafar Hadi.
The continental tournament will also see play in singles and doubles for the Bahraini paddlers.
All four will be participating in the singles event, while in the doubles, Saleh and Sanad will team up and Murtadha and Alaali will be a pair.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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