Quimcy Dsouza Falls In Teqball Semis, India’s Medal Hopes Alive In Bronze Playoff

India’s Quimcy Dsouza missed out on a place in the Teqball women’s singles final at the Asian Games after losing a closely fought semifinal to Indonesia’s Sumaya on Saturday, but she remains in contention for a medal.

Dsouza made an impressive start, taking the opening game 12-7 and looking in control of the contest. The Mumbai player used the sport’s distinctive curved table effectively, producing a series of sharp diagonal smashes with her feet to trouble her Indonesian opponent.

However, Sumaya gradually changed the momentum. The 21-year-old Indonesian, drawing on her experience in sepak takraw, adapted well to Dsouza’s attacking game and fought back to win the second game 12-9, taking the match into a decider.

The third game proved decisive. Sumaya produced a stunning nine-point winning streak to open up a commanding lead, leaving Dsouza unable to find a response. The Indonesian eventually closed out the game 12-7 to secure her place in the final.

For Dsouza, the medal campaign is still alive. She will compete in the bronze-medal playoff on Sunday, giving the Indian another opportunity to finish on the podium.

Her journey to the Asian Games has been an unusual one. Dsouza, who is based in Bengaluru, previously competed in state-level football and 1,500m running before discovering Teqball after watching Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho showcase the sport on Instagram.

She took to the discipline and has since established herself on the Asian stage.

Teqball combines football skills with a curved table, with players prohibited from using their hands and arms. The ball can be controlled using the feet, legs, head and torso, making the sport technically demanding and similar in some ways to sepak takraw.

Dsouza will now look to turn her semifinal disappointment into a bronze medal on Sunday.