Entering the quarterfinal matches of the Southeast Asian Games 33 badminton event on the afternoon of December 12, Vu Thi Trang and Bui Bich Phuong, a women’s doubles pair considered an “improvised” team with the 18-year-old paired with a more experienced senior player, were the last two remaining representatives of Vietnamese badminton.
Facing young Filipinos Mary Destiny Untal and Andrea Princess Hernandez, Trang and Phuong had a difficult start to the match. After five disputed points, the two Vietnamese gradually gained the upper hand, leading 11-6 then 15-7 and 20-9. Despite conceding two match points by their opponents, they ultimately won the first set 21-11.
Vu Thi Trang (left) and Bui Bich Phuong are assured of a medal at the 33 Southeast Asian Games as they advance to the semi-finals of the women’s doubles.
In the second set, galvanized, Trang and Phuong dominated the match from start to finish, leaving few opportunities to their opponents and quickly winning 21-10. From the first round until this afternoon’s match, the strategy of Bich Phuong, who knew how to preserve his youthful energy, and the experience of Vu Thi Trang created a surprise in Vietnam.
Earlier in the day, the badminton event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games was marked by a huge surprise: an “improvised” Vietnamese women’s doubles pair created a surprise by beating the Thai pair, the host country, ranked 48th in the world and seeded number 3, in the first round.
With their quarter-final victory, Trang and Phuong qualified for the semi-finals, securing a medal in Vietnamese badminton.
In the other table, their opponents also created a surprise by eliminating the Malaysian women’s doubles pair, ranked 22nd in the world.
Indonesian players Meilysa Trias Puspitasari and Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma will be Trang and Phuong’s opponents tomorrow afternoon, December 13.
Source : https://nld.com.vn/vu-thi-trang-bui-bich-phuong-chac-chan-co-huy-chuong-tai-sea-games-33-196251212173704182.htm
