ASIAN JUNIORS: FAVORITES CRUISE INTO MALE TEAM SEMIFINALS

April 8, 1997 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - The favorites in the male team competition at the Asian Junior badminton championships now underway in Manila, Philippines all had untroubled victories in today's quarterfinal stage. China demolished India 3 matches to none, while Indonesia did the same to Japan. Korea beat the host Philippines 3-1, and Malaysia eliminated Taiwan 3-1.

The favorites' victories set the stage for tomorrow's semifinals. China will battle Korea and Indonesia faces archrival Malaysia.

In female team competition, Japan and China booked their places in the semifinals by routing their quarterfinal opponents.

The Japanese girls were merciless in their meeting with the Philippines, taking two of the singles matches with 11-0 and 11-0 scores and winning the meet 3 matches to none, while China walloped Sri Lanka 3-0.

China will meet Japan in one female team semifinal, while Korea and Indonesia face off in the other semifinal.

(jcfontanilla/migrossman)