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BEIJING: A jubilant Singapore bagged its first Olympic medal in 48 years on Friday when its table tennis players made the final of the women's team event where they will meet China.
It has been a long wait for the city state which last made the podium at the 1960 Rome Olympics when weightlifter Tan Howe Liang won silver - their only previous medal.
"We will get a silver at least. I'm extremely satisfied and give my team full marks," said Singaporean coach Liu Guodong after their hard-fought 3-2 victory over South Korea.
"I feel that our mission has been accomplished because I treated today's match as a final.
"Having worked as a coach in Singapore for two years, I'm very happy to have helped the country end its 48-year medal drought."
Feng Tianwei was the heroine.
She got the ball rolling with a 11-5, 11-5, 11-2 victory over Dang Ye-seo before world number six Li Jiawei lost to Kim Kyung-ah 5-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9.
Li then paired with Wang Yue Gu, showing perfect teamwork to beat Kim and Park Mi-young 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 in the doubles.
But Dang bounced back to crush an exhausted Wang 11-8, 14-12, 11-9.
With the match tied at 2-2, Singapore's destiny fell to Feng, who displayed courage to beat a tenacious Park 11-7, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9.
"I had to be patient and wait for opportunities to attack," said a relieved Feng. "When everyone was nervous at the last moment, staying calm was my advantage."
The Beijing-born Li added that it was a proud day for her.
"After today's competition I hugged Feng Tianwei and cried. I have never cried after any victory before. But I cried because we led this team to victory and we have fulfilled Singapore's expectations of a medal."
South Korean coach Hyun Jung-Hwa paid tribute to Singapore and said his side would now target bronze in the play-off.
"It's pity that we lost, but we will try to get a bronze medal," she said.
China easily downed Hong Kong 3-0
"We will do some studies on Singapore, who seem to have good techniques and high morale," said China's paddler Zhang Yining.
"We won't be overcautious because I believe the aggressive side will prevail."
Semi-final results: Singapore beat South Korea 3-2
Feng Tianwei (SIN) bt Dang Ye Seo (KOR) 11-5, 11-5, 11-2
Kim Kyung Ah (KOR) bt Li Jiawei (SIN) 5-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9
Wang Yuegu/Li Jiawei (SIN) bt Park Mi Young/Kim Kyung Ah (KOR) 11-7, 11-6, 11-9
Dang Ye Seo (KOR) bt Wang Yuegu (SIN) 11-8, 14-12, 11-9
Feng Tianwei (SIN) bt Park Mi Young (KOR) 11-7, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9.
- AFP/ir/de
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