Victory and survival for England
12th May 2005The spirits in the England camp were sky high in Beijing tonight after their 4-1 win over Thailand kept them in the First Division at these world mixed team championships.
Tomorrow they will play Hong Kong in the fifth place play-off.
It was England's first win in three group matches after a 3-2 defeat by semi-finalists Denmark and a 5-0 loss to holders Korea.
Anthony Clark and Robert Blair were the heroes.
They dropped the first game to Ngernsrisuk Patapol and Anukrittayawan Songpol 15-9 but hit back to take the next two 15-0 15-3.
Olympic silver medallists Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms got the team off to a winning start by beating Songpol Worawichitchaikul Kulchala 15-6 17-15. That made up for their first Sudirman Cup defeat yesterday.
Then after Nick Kidd had lost his singles, England No 1 Tracey Hallam, returning to the team, beat Ekmongkolpaisarn Sujitra 11-3 11-2.
Claark and Blair secured the winning lead before Emms and Donna Kellogg completed the 4-1 morale-booster.
Coach Andy Wood said: "We were unlucky against Denmark and the Korean match was much closer than the scoreline suggested. We are really pleased with this win. It was overdue. But now we want that fifth place."
Hong Kong’s win over Sweden means they now face a relegation play-off with Thailand.
Scotland failed in their push for promotion in losing 4-1 to India and they must now face Finland in the play-off for 21st. Wales face a play-off with Bulgaria to avoid relegation from Division 3 after losing 5-0 to the USA.
In the last two group matches to finish Denmark overcame the loss of singles player Tine Rasmussen with a snapped Achilles tendon to score a last-match 3-2 win over holders South Korea and four-times champions China scored another 5-0 win, this time over past winners Indonesia.
Yonex All England finalist Kamilla Juhl was the Danish heroine, teaming up with Jens Eriksen to grab the vital victory.
So the semi-finals on Saturday are China v South Korea and Denmark v Indonesia.
Group 1A:
England 4 Thailand 1
Mixed doubles: Nathan Robertson & Gail Emms bt Anukrittayawan Songpol & Worawichitchaikul Kulchala 15-6 17-15
Men’s singles: Nick Kidd lost to Sapkulchananart Poompat 15-9 15-12
Women’s singles: Tracey Hallam bt Ekmongkolpaisarn Sujitra 11-3 11-2
Men’s doubles: Anthony Clark & Robert Blair bt Ngernsrisuk Patapol & Songpol 9-15 15-0 15-3
Women’s doubles: Gail Emms & Donna Kellogg bt Chankrachangwong Sathinee & Kulchala 15-2 15-13