Defeat ends Ouseph’s Olympic dream

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Hounslow’s Rajiv Ouseph went out of the Olympic badminton mens’ singles after losing to Kevin Cordon of in his second group match.

He was beaten 21-12, 17-21, 19-21 – much to the disappointment of a partisan crowd at Wembley Arena.

With both men having beaten Sweden’s Henri Hurkskainen in their opening group match, they knew a victory would take them through to the knockout stage.

And the 25-year-old British number one made a great start, winning the first game at a canter.

Cordon, named after England football legend Kevin Keegan, responded in determined fashion to win the second game.

He carried that momentum into the deciding game and was 6-2 in front before Ouseph won six points in a row to lead 8-6 and then 11-9 at the mid-game interval.

But after Ouseph inexplicably hit the net when 14-11 up and in the ascendancy, the tension in the arena rose and increased further when the score was tied at 16-16.

Cordon sensed his chance and held his nerve at 19-19 to send the Londoner crashing out.

See also: Ouseph wins tense Olympic opener

 

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