• London Olympics 2012

Controversy erupts in 2012 badminton clash

Thorsten Berg talks to world doubles champions Yang Yu and Xiaoli Wang © PA Photos

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• News: Badminton teams charged after controversy
  

Another Olympics storm is brewing after suspicions arose over the way the Chinese pairing of Xiaoli Wang and Yang Yu lost in the badminton competition.

The clash between Xiaoli and Yang and South Korea's Kim Moon Soo and Kim Jiyhun ended in controversy, with both sets of players warned by match referee Thorsten Berg after they regularly missed shots throughout.

The longest rally of the first game was four shots and tournament officials are now investigating the match.

Both pairs were already assured of a last-eight place, with China's Tian Quing and Zhao Yunlei lying in wait for the winners.

South Korea eventually triumphed 21-14 21-11, meaning the two Chinese pairs can now only play each other in the final.

After both teams were booed off the court, Korean coach Sung Han Kook said: "It's not like the Olympic spirit to play like this. How could the number one pair in the world play like this? They start playing mistakes. Their attitude is absolute rubbish."

However, Yang responded by saying: "Actually these opponents really were strong. This is the first time we've played them and Wednesday it's the knockout rounds, so we've already qualified and we wanted to have more energy for the knockout rounds.

"Really, it's not necessary to go out hard again when the knockout rounds are tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Great Britain's bid for badminton glory ended as Rajiv Ouseph and Susan Egelstaff both crashed out in the singles at Wembley Arena. Ouseph won the first set against Guatemala's Kevin Cordon but eventually lost 12-21 21-17 21-19. Egelstaff also took the opening set before Sayaka Sato fought back for a 18-21 21-16 21-12 success.

Mixed doubles pair Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier, who were already knocked out of the Games after losing two group matches, went down 21-13 21-14 to China's top seeds Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.