Saturday, February 2, 2008
8:50 PM
South East Asia Table Tennis Olympic Qualification 2008 - Xiao Li did Singapore proud
It was a fantastic day for our paddlers at the South East Asia Table Tennis Olympic Qualification 2008.

Cai Xiaoli did Singapore proud today.

In his first match against Sanguansin Phakpoom, he faced some difficult with the fast attacks from the Thailand player. Xiaoli had problems getting a good rhythm in the game.

Also, Xiaoli was also unable to return Phakpoom's powerful bottom-spin serves, all of which contributed to Xiaoli's lost in the first game.

Despite that, the atmosphere was filled with cheers from the audiences and shouts of "Jia You" from his fellow teammates. In the following games, Xiaoli played with renewed vigour. One particular long rally saw both players playing conservatively, waiting for the other to make the mistake. It was a game of perserverence and concentration. In the end, Xiaoli prevailed and scored that crucial point to win the game.

Not to be deterred, Phakpoom stormed through the 4th game with his trademark quick attacks and bottom-spinned services. Xiaoli triumphed in the final game at (4-11, 13-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7) as Phakpoom started to make mistakes in the face of pressure.

In the 2nd match against Ibrahim Muhd Shakrin from Malaysia, Xiaoli re-enacted his previous match and lost the first and second game. But just as an engine needs time to rev up, Xiaoli soon got into 4th gear and won 3 straight games in a row, (11-6, 11-9, 1-11, 4-11, 5-11).

In the evening, Xiaoli played with more ease. He defeated Vetnam's
Nguyen Nam Hai with the score of 3-1.

Xiaoli will have to play 1 more game against Indonesia's Hussein Muhammad before he qualifies for for the Main Draw tomorrow.

Feng Tian Wei had a much easier time. She breeze through her games, beating Malaysia's Chiu Soo Jin and Indonesia's Ferliana Christine in straight games, as well as Thailand's Muangsuk Anisara. And with 100% victory, Tian Wei emerged top in her group and qualify for tomorrow's Main Draw.

Only top 2 per group will qualify for the Main Draw and Champion for the Men's and Women's Singles will qualify for the Beijing Qlympics this year.




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