India created history on Tuesday by advancing to the quarter-finals of the Sudirman Cup badminton tournament after Chinese Taipei defeated Thailand 3-2 in the last Group C rubber of the mixed team competition in Qingdao, China.
India lost their opener to Chinese Taipei 2-3 but bounced back in the second Group C match on Monday, beating Thailand 3-2. But their fate still depended on the result of the match between Chinese Taipei and Thailand.
But Thailand's defeat paved the way for India to enter the knock-out stage of the prestigious tournament for the first time since its inception in 1989.
"We are very happy. It is a great effort by the entire team and a momentous occasion for us. We will give our best in the quarter-finals," P Kashyap, who engineered India's dramatic turnaround against Thailand on Monday by beating world number six Boonsak Ponsana, said.
The draw for the knockout stage of the competition will be done immediately after the last match of the group play-off.
India play their knock-out match on Thursday.
Chinese Taipei rode on their strength in doubles as they swept all the three -- men's, women's and mixed -- events to notch their second victory and top Group C of level 1.
Hung Ling Chen and Wen Hsing Cheng gave Chinese Taipei a head start by beating Maneepong Jongjit and Savitree Amitrapai 21-9, 21-10 in the mixed doubles category.
But Thailand's Boonsak thrashed Tien Chen Chou 21-15, 21-15 in a 39-minute clash at the Qindao Sports Centre Gymansium to draw parity.
Locked 1-1, the Chinese once again scored through their men's doubles pair of Sheng Mu Lee and Chieh Min Fang, who saw off Songphon Anugritayawon and Bodin Issara 21-12, 21-18 in a 26-minute match.
But Thailand fought back through world number 18 Ratchanok Inthanon, who beat Shao Chieh Cheng 21-9, 21-17 in just 29 minutes to make it 2-2.
But the Chinese Taipei women's doubles pair of Wen Hsing Cheng and Yu Chin Chien was in no mood to relent and wrapped the tie with a 21-13, 21-12 thrashing of Saralee Thoungthongkam and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul in the final rubber.
