Hong Kong, June 14 (IANS): Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams lost to their Malaysia opponents in the semi-finals of the Asian team squash championship here Saturday, but will return home with a bronze medal apiece.
The Indian women were the underdogs and put up a gallant fight but were overpowered by the mighty Malaysians who boasted of World No.1 Nicol David in their ranks.
The Indian men’s team on the other hand were expected to go all the way, but Saurav Ghosal, their No.1 player was undone by former World No.7 Ong Beng Hee in the second singles.
Hee put up such a display of sterling squash that Ghosal had no answer and the Indian went down in four games.
Earlier, Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu went down 12-10 in the fifth game against Ivan Yuen in the first singles that saw fortunes fluctuate with the Indian winning the opening game but losing the next two before taking the fourth only to lose the decider.
The results (semi-finals):
Women: India lost to Malaysia 0-2 (Anaka Alankamony lost to Delia Arnold 6-11, 1-11, 5-11; Dipika Pallikal lost to Nicol David 5-11, 5-11, 8-11).
Men: India lost to Malaysia 0-2 (Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu lost to Ivan Yuen 11-0, 8-11, 6-11, 12-10, 10-12; Saurav Ghosal lost to Ong Beng Hee 10-12, 12-10, 8-11, 8-11).