Asian Ascent: Indian Juniors Slay Group Stage, Now Set to Duel Japan in Quarters

India's junior badminton team demonstrated steel nerves and first-class coordination to defeat Hong Kong China 110-100 and lead Group D of the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships 2025. The victory positions them for a pressure-cooker quarter-final match against giant Japan in Surakarta, Indonesia.

 

Match Report
 

India and Hong Kong China arrived in the fray on an unbeaten note, but it was the Indian badminton team that showed their superiority in the close situations to win and take Group D bragging rights. The competition is conducted in a relay scoring format, with each tie won by the first side to reach 110 points through 10 matches.

 

Key Highlights

 

India's Consistency: The side had a narrow but vital advantage in most of the games, repelling numerous spirited Hong Kong comebacks.

 

Dominant Performances: Outstanding juniors like Rujula Ramu and Tanvi Sharma spearheaded India's drive with dominating singles victories, ably supported by dazzling doubles pairs.

 

Relay Scoring Drama: The battle was hotly contested, India's score incrementally pulled away from Hong Kong China after a mid-game surge, finishing on 110-100.

 

Path to Quarters: India moved ahead with group play without losing with the victory, having already defeated Sri Lanka and the UAE with ease.

 

Future Challenge: India will then be facing Japan in the quarter-finals—a team with a strong junior record—showing the high stakes and pressure on India's young guns.

 

Record: India hopes to improve on their best-ever bronze medal in this event with their target now being to pursue the first position.

 

"The players were very composed in pressure situations. Being at the top of a difficult group gives us the momentum, but each knockout game is a new battle," team sources replied after the victory.

 

Source: [DT Next], [Central Chronicle], [Olympics.com]