Sensational Goh Jin Wei Seals Tie for Malaysia

If ever a match illustrated the tenacity of the underdog, this was it. In a dramatic third game of a pivotal match between India and Malaysia, Goh Jin Wei – without a win over a top player in over a year, whose recurring health issues have hampered her career, withstood a great comeback from a celebrated opponent to take Malaysia into the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2023.

The tie would eventually end in Malaysia’s favour, 5-0, a surprisingly one-sided result in a group predicted to be the ‘Group of Death’. Yet, while the eventual result itself was a whitewash, the third match between Pusarla V Sindhu and Goh produced one of the season’s most memorable contests. While it was on, the tie was still alive, with the Indians looking to Pusarla to inspire a revival.

Goh calms herself down during an epic third game.

After a dominant first game, Pusarla fell apart in the second and soon found herself 2-14 down in the third, before implausibly racking up a streak of points that drew her close at 14-15. With her opponent threatening to take the match from a hopeless position, the pressure was all Goh’s, and it would have seemed par for the course had she withered under the spell, but the Malaysian was able to draw from deep within, and instead of clinging on in the rallies, it was she who dictated the pace. Thus, even when Pusarla clawed level at 20-all, Goh’s initiative created the last two points that took her past the finishing line – 3-0 for Malaysia and a place in the quarterfinals.

“I felt so relieved when it got over!” said Goh. “I was lucky that she had a long match yesterday with Tai Tzu Ying and maybe she was a bit tired.

“It’s one of my biggest wins. I just wanted to prove to myself and to those who believed in me.”

Pusarla called her performance one of her great comebacks in recent years.

“It’s disappointing. Trailing and coming back and then losing the last two points, of course it’s disappointing. If I would’ve lost easy it wouldn’t have hurt so much.”

Japan Down Tenacious France

Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue gave France the lead.

France had a great start against Japan in Group D, with Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue beating Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino 29-27 21-16 in the opening encounter, but Japan proved they had the resources to deal with crisis. Kodai Naraoka held firm against Alex Lanier, before Akane Yamaguchi and the doubles pairs saw the Japanese through to the 4-1 result.

Korea joined Japan in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 margin over England, with Ben Lane/Sean Vendy taking the consolation point for England beating Choi Sol Gyu/Na Sung Seung.

Results

Sudirman Cup News

Sweet 13th for China!

Sweet 13th for China!

21 May 2023
One Point Too Far for Japan

One Point Too Far for Japan

21 May 2023
Flawless Korea Overcome Malaysian Challenge

Flawless Korea Overcome Malaysian Challenge

20 May 2023
Viktor Axelsen Retires with Injury

Viktor Axelsen Retires with Injury

19 May 2023
Captain Hoki Inspires Japan Revival

Captain Hoki Inspires Japan Revival

19 May 2023
Taekwondo Champ Li Shi Feng Aces Celebration

Taekwondo Champ Li Shi Feng Aces Celebration

18 May 2023
Cool Kunlavut Turns Tide for Thailand

Cool Kunlavut Turns Tide for Thailand

18 May 2023
Jeon Finds Spark in Korean Rout of Japan

Jeon Finds Spark in Korean Rout of Japan

17 May 2023
Malaysia Top ‘Group of Death’

Malaysia Top ‘Group of Death’

17 May 2023
An Opportunity Slips for Canada

An Opportunity Slips for Canada

16 May 2023
Emotional Return to Birthplace for Adam Dong

Emotional Return to Birthplace for Adam Dong

15 May 2023
Axelsen Clears the Way for Denmark

Axelsen Clears the Way for Denmark

14 May 2023
Chinese Taipei Sail Through in Testy Waters

Chinese Taipei Sail Through in Testy Waters

14 May 2023
Where To Watch: TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2023

Where To Watch: TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2023

14 May 2023
Minnows Hope to Make a Mark

Minnows Hope to Make a Mark

13 May 2023
Back in Badminton Heartland!

Back in Badminton Heartland!

13 May 2023
Indonesians Seek to End Three-Decade Wait

Indonesians Seek to End Three-Decade Wait

12 May 2023
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‘Fukuhiro’ High on Confidence After Dubai Win

12 May 2023
The Sudirman Cup Story

The Sudirman Cup Story

12 May 2023
China Hold the Aces

China Hold the Aces

11 May 2023
Group D Preview: Japan, Korea Will be Wary of France

Group D Preview: Japan, Korea Will be Wary of France

11 May 2023
Group C Preview: The Group of Death?

Group C Preview: The Group of Death?

5 May 2023
Minions in Indonesia’s Sudirman Cup Squad

Minions in Indonesia’s Sudirman Cup Squad

2 May 2023
Group B Preview: Tunjung’s Form Bodes Well for Indonesia

Group B Preview: Tunjung’s Form Bodes Well for Indonesia

21 April 2023
Group A Preview: Decisive Denmark-Singapore Clash

Group A Preview: Decisive Denmark-Singapore Clash

14 April 2023
Fast-Rising Duo Give Edge to India’s Hopes

Fast-Rising Duo Give Edge to India’s Hopes

13 April 2023
Sudirman Cup: Malaysia, Chinese Taipei in Tricky Group C

Sudirman Cup: Malaysia, Chinese Taipei in Tricky Group C

25 March 2023
Sudirman Cup: Egypt, Singapore Among Participating Teams

Sudirman Cup: Egypt, Singapore Among Participating Teams

8 March 2023
Pan American Cup: Canada Cruise to Title

Pan American Cup: Canada Cruise to Title

21 February 2023
Asia Mixed Team Championship: China Reign Again

Asia Mixed Team Championship: China Reign Again

20 February 2023
Oceania Mixed Team Championships: Australia Breeze Through

Oceania Mixed Team Championships: Australia Breeze Through

19 February 2023
European Mixed Team Championships: Denmark Survive Torrid Test

European Mixed Team Championships: Denmark Survive Torrid Test

19 February 2023
Africa Mixed Team Championships: Egypt Roar Back to Retain Crown

Africa Mixed Team Championships: Egypt Roar Back to Retain Crown

17 February 2023
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