MBBC Jr. International: Johannes Hagen, Marie Waland prove their worth in Mixed Doubles title match
The final day of MBBC Jr. International certainly belonged to Norway as its shuttlers Johannes Hagen-Marie Waland raised their national flag also in the title match of Under-19 Mixed Doubles category on July 20, 2012.
They overpowered local campaigners Shawn Whong-Rochelle Ng in a hard fought battle which took place at Manhattan Beach in California, USA.
The final result of 21-14, 25-27 and 21-19 was proof of their class which they showed throughout three exhausting sets.
On the other hand, the native shuttlers disappointed their supporters by putting a below par performance in crucial moments of the match.
The Norwegian couple, who was top ranked team in this event, got into right momentum by grabbing valuable points in the beginning of first set.
They mounted pressure by putting 7-3 total and then kept their rivals at lower end all the way to half time.
They maintained a respectable advantage until 11-7 before the break and started second half with a psychological edge.
They did not show mercy even after the interval and served notice of their supremacy with an overwhelming margin of 21-14.
The following game proved best part of the tussle as both contenders put all in their possession to achieve their respective goals.
They took the game to next level and made the crowd gasp with their breath-taking performance in this crucial set.
Shawn and Rochelle, who were holding second spot in tournament ranking, matched their competitor’s skills all the way to game point situation and managed to stay in the contest.
Though, they finished first half with 9-11 but showed some spark in later part of the game. They levelled the score at 16-16 and then remained close until the last shot was played.
The game remained on a knife edge until 25-25 but then the US campaigners tipped the scale in their favour with a decisive figure of 27-25.
This updated status made the third set consequential and both pairs battled hard to oust the opponent but the Norwegian team locked the honour by a hair.
Johannes and Marie bagged the first half with 11-10 and then finished this set with a distinctive margin of 21-19.
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