Asian giants South Korea take on Thailand in the second semi-final of the ongoing inaugural Robot Asia Badminton Championships 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Saturday.
The second seeds lived up to their reputation of being one of the tournament favourites by decimating quarter-finalists Chinese Taipei 3-0 in little more than two hours on Friday. They were unbeaten in the group stages as well and dropped only one match in which world number four Son Wan Ho lost to India's HS Prannoy.
However, Son recovered from his defeat and came back strongly in the quarter-final to crush world number nine Chou Tien Chen 21-19, 21-7 in just 42 minutes. South Korea have the edge over Thailand when it comes to the singles battle as world number three women's shuttler Sung Ji Hyun, who has remained unbeaten in the ongoing tournament so far, is also favourites to win her rubber today against lower-ranked Pornpawee Chochuwong.
Thailand's doubles unit also needs to punch above its weight if it is to stand a chance against their opposition's in-form shutters. Men's doubles pairing of Nipitphon Phuangphuapet and Kittinupon Kedrenm, who lost their rubber against India yesterday, will have an uphill task against Korea's Yoo Yeong Seong and Kim Gi Jung.
With world number four pairing of Chang Ye Na and Lee So Hee leading their Women's singles campaign, Korea are clear favourites to book a spot in the final of the tournament. Notably, the winning team will take on the winner of the first semi-final between China and Japan on Sunday in the title match.
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Singapore: Eleven Sports
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Team News
South Korea
Possible Line-up: Son Wan Ho (MS), Sung Ji Hyun (WS), Kim Gi Jung/Yoo Yeon Seong (MD), Chang Ye Na/Lee So Hee (WD), Chae Yoo Jung/SolGyu Choi (XD)
Thailand
Possible Line-up: Khosit Phetpradab (MS), Pornpawee Chochiwong (WS), Kittinupon Kedren/Nipithphon Phuangphuapet (MD), Puttita Supajiraku/Sapsiree Taerattana (WD), Savitree Amitrapai/Dechapol Puavaraukroh (XD)
