The Hong Kong men escaped an early dismiss from the Doha Games, fighting from 1-2 down to beat Japan 3-2 and setting up a semifinal faceoff with world runners-up South Korea.

Having lost the first game 3-2 to Yo Kan, Hong Kong player Cheung Yuk gathered himself to win the decisive rubber over Kaii Yoshida, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9.

The 25-year-old took three straight points to seal the five-set victory over the former Chinese Yoshida, who joined the Japanese nationality after years of living there.

Li Ching collected two points for Hong Kong, beating Yoshida and Kan 3-0 and 3-2 respectively, while Ko Lai Chak lost to Japanese Jun Mizutani 13-11, 11-9, 11-3.

China has yet to meet real challengers as the world champion beat host Qatar 3-0 to face Chinese Taipei in the semifinals.

"The Chinese Taipei team is very strong and we will prepare very carefully," said Liu Guoliang, head coach of the Chinese men's team.

"It's not a good thing for our team to have easy games before the semifinals," he added.

On the women's part, Hong Kong has been shown the door after losing 3-1 to Li Jia Wei-led Singapore, while China scrambled a little to reach the semifinals with a 3-0 win over Japan.

"Real competition began today," said China head coach Shi Zhihao.

The 18-year-old Guo Yue overcame a frustrating 4-7 start to tie 8-all, before taking it 12-10 on three straight points.

She then came into her own pace, beating the "Japanese Babe" 11-6 at the following set.

Guo Yue, however, should have finished the fight in straight sets, but Fukuhara, also 18, turned the tables 12-10 after the umpire made a mistake in favor of Guo and the Chinese intentionally gifted "Ai-chan" a point.

Guo Yue was given another scare as Fukuhara saved an astonishing 12 match points before the Chinese won the fourth set 22-20.

"Guo Yue should be more concentrated, especially when taking the upper hand," commented Shi.

Chinese veteran Wang Nan won 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 over former Chinese Saki Kanazawa in the first game and World Cup holder Guo Yan beat Haruna Fukuoka 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 11-5 to wrap up the tally.

Former Beijing player Li Jia Wei scored two points in Singapore's 3-1 upset win over Hong Kong, beating Lin Ling and Tie Yana.

Sun Bei Bei was Singapore's other winner, disposing of Hong Kong top player Tie in straight sets.

Hong Kong's only point came from Lau Sui Fei, who edged Zhang Xue Ling in five sets.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea and South Korea also made it to the semifinals, ousting Thailand and India respectively at the Al Arabi Indoor Hall.

DPR Korea will take on Singapore, leaving South Korea to face China.