Asian Team squash: Indian men in last eight

The Indian men's team, led by National champion Saurav Ghosal, put up a dominating show to sail into the quarter-finals of the 16th Asian Team Squash Championships in Kuwait.

It blanked Jordan 3-0 in the pre-quarter-finals, at the Salem Al-Sabah International squash complex on Wednesday night, to top Pool 'A'.

World No 25 Ghosal brushed aside the challenge of Ahmad Al Zabidi in his first game of the tournament, winning 11-5, 9-11, 11-3, 11-6.

Mahesh Mangoankar defeated Saif Al Braikat 11-2, 11-4, 11-2 while Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu overcame the challenge of Ahmad Al Saraj 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.

They take on Japan in the last-eight stage.

Speaking after his game, Ghosal said, "It's nice to have made it to the last-eight of the tournament, but there is still a long way to go.

"We have a very bright chance of making it right till the very end and each one of us is playing extremely well. We will ensure that we do not lose momentum and continue with our winning form," he added.

The women's team also continued its winning momentum, defeating Sri Lanka 3-0, to register its second victory in Pool 'B'. They will lock horns with second seeds Malaysia in their final pool match.

India's No 1 female player Dipika Pallikal barely broke a sweat in defeating Mihiliya Methsarani 11-4, 11-2, 11-5.

Anaka Alankamony made it 2-0 for the visitors, outclassing Naduni Gunawardane 11-0, 11-8, 11-2, while Joshna Chinappa got the better of Damindhi Udangawe 11-5, 11-4, 11-3.