Nguyen can't spoil star's party

GUANGZHOU - Although Vietnam badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh knew his chances of winning Friday night's quarterfinal against China's Lin Dan, the tournament's No 2 seed, were "very slim", he still was determined to cause as much trouble as possible.

"Although Lin has won the world championship title and an Olympic gold medal, I know he really wants to win the Asian Games gold medal and I didn't want him to get it that easily," said the 27-year-old Nguyen after falling to "Super Dan" 21-9, 21-13.

"I played my best today, but I just couldn't stop him. He is too strong," said Nguyen. "I am simply not good enough. I definitely need to do more training to improve my skills and tactics."

Nguyen also said he would like to see Lin take on Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, the world No 1, in the final.

Lee appears to be the only player left capable of stopping Lin from winning the gold after former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat, of Indonesia, failed to fire in his quarterfinal match against the Republic of Korea's Park Sung-hwan.

Lee will take on China's Chen Jin, the world No 5, in Saturday's first semifinal while Lin will face Park in the other semi.

"I hope to meet my teammate in the final, but I am ready to battle the world's No 1," Lin said.

China Daily

(China Daily 11/20/2010)