Hong Kong, China blanketed Chinese Taipei on Friday to take a step forward to fight for the bronze at the table tennis team tournament of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Cheung Yuk of Hongkong demolished Chueng Chih-yuan 3-0 to score one point in the first outing.

The 23rd-ranked Chiang Peng-lung has a hard time against 11-ranked veteran Li Ching who trailed 0-1 in the first game but came back strong to take the next three.

Despite incisive attacks from Chiang, Li Ching managed to hold on until the last minute and thumped Chiang 13-11 before claiming the marathon match 3-2.

Ko Lai Chak/Li Ching, the Athens doubles silver medalists, live up to their top billing in the third confrontation, upsetting Chang Yen-shu/Chiang Peng-lung 3-0 to win the gruelling encounter.

Asian powerhouse Japan and South Korea crashed Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei on Thursday to advance into team semifinals.

Also on Friday, Austria raced past Croatia 3-1 to move forward in battling for the third place finisher. The 2003 world champion Werner Schlager and Chen Weixing won the first two sets over Tan Ruiwu and Zoran Primorac.

Dropping the doubles game, Austria rallied to take the tiebreaker and saw off Croatia 3-1.

The table tennis tournament, held in the 8,000-seat stadium in Peking University, is scheduled to last 11 days starting from Aug. 13. The men's team event final will be held Monday following the women's final on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)