Despite Aruna Quadri’s spirited effort to ignite Nigeria’s comeback
against star-studded Chinese Taipei, the Nigerian team lost 3-1 to
exit the 2019 ITTF Team World Cup holding in Tokyo, Japan.
It was world number 10, Yun-Ju Lin heroics that halted the West
African team’s comeback in the game with victories over Bode Abiodun
and Olajide Omotayo.
Quadri tried to propel his team with a win during the encounter, but
it was not enough as Chinese Taipei booked their place in the next
round with an overall 3-1 win.
In the doubles match, the pair of Quadri and Omotayo were in the
driving seat against Cheng-Ting Liao and Chien-An Chen at 2-1 (11-9,
13-15, 11-7) but their opponents put the encounter beyond them with
11-9, 11-6 win to claim a 3-2 victory that propelled the Asian giant
in the win.
Abiodun’s tie against Lin Jun-Ju was one-sided with the youngster
claiming an emphatic 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-2) over the Nigerian.
Quadri Aruna hit back for Team Nigeria as he beat Chinese Taipei’s
Chen Chien-An 3-2 (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 2-11, 11-9) to cut the deficit
to 2-1.
Young prodigy Lin Yun-Ju wrapped up the win for his country when he
beat Omotayo in straight set (11-3, 11-5, 11-3), which meant Chinese
Taipei finished second in Group A while Nigeria settled for third
spot.
Yun-Ju Lin has admitted that Quadri nearly scuttled their chance of
advancing to the second round.
The world number 10 told told newsmen that he was happy leading his
team to overcome the African Champions.
“We were aware of the quality of the Nigeria players and we were a bit
nervous before the match particularly in the doubles.”
