Indonesia beats Malaysia to win Asia Cup c'ship

JAKARTA (JP): The old badminton rivalry between Indonesia and Malaysia was on display yesterday as the two met at the A King Asia Cup championship finals at Senayan Tennis Indoor Stadium.

The nation's young shuttlers proved their ability to fight in a team event when Indonesia beat Malaysia 3-0 to win the trophy and US$80,000.

The $150,000 tournament championship was staged for the first time and it is hoped that it will become as prestigious as the Thomas Cup in Asia.

As Malaysia's Wong Choong Hann's backhand crashed into the net, Indonesia's doubles Sigit Budiarto and Chandra Wijaya raised their hands in victory.

Sigit and Chandra, the world No. 1 pair, won 15-7, 15-12 but failed to perform their best.

Earlier, the country's top singles player and world number four, Indra Wijaya, had to work hard to beat Ong Ewe Hock before winning the 69-minute match 18-13, 4-15, 15-11 to go up 1-0.

In the second singles match, which did not influence the results, Budi Santoso won 15-2, 15-2 against Pang Chen, who received $5,000 for being the best foreign shuttler in the event.

The 3,000 spectators were hysterical in their applause and continued to yell "Indonesia... Indonesia..."

Earlier yesterday, Chinese Taipei beat South Korea 2-1 to take third place.

Fung Permadi, an Indonesian shuttler who plays for Taipei, won 15-5, 15-8. But Korea's pair of Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung equaled the score 1-1 after beating Huang Shih Chung and Chien Yu Hsun 15-13, 15-7. Taipei's number two singles player Chang Jeng Shyuang defeated Kim Chul-joong in the deciding set 15-9, 15-4.

Team manager Indra Gunawan expressed his satisfaction with the victory.

"Our second string shuttlers showed that they could overcome other countries' main shuttlers. It's a very good start for us to keep grooming them," Gunawan said.

Gunawan hoped that his young shuttlers would be ready to play in next year's Thomas Cup championships.

Shaky start

Indra got off to a shaky start and let Ong take a 5-0 lead before he went on top 10-9. Ong took back control and led 13-10, until Indra forced a deuce after equaling 13-13. The Indonesian concluded the first set 18-13.

In the second set, Indra made many unforced errors, allowing Ong to take the lead 4-2. Ong complained to the referee about a spotlight in a corner of venue, but managed to open up his lead to 8-2. Indra scored two more but Ong ended the set on top 15-4.

In the deciding set, both shuttlers played safely and scored point by point in the beginning. After eight service overs, Ong equaled the score 4-4.

Indra, who showed off his jump smashes, led 9-4 but Ong came from behind to equalize at 9-9.

The 3,000 supporters then threw all their weight behind Indra, who won the battle against Ong 15-11.

"I was very tired but after realizing that the spectators wanted me to win, I tried my best," Indra said.

Gunawan said that Indra overcame his fatigue but needed more physical training in the future.

"Usually he gives up when he's tired but today I think his spirit was boosted by the spectators cheering," he said.

Chandra and Sigit did not show as much class after committing numerous unforced errors, despite their victory against Wong and Lee Chee Leong.

"We were really tense because we had to win. The team relied on us to earn one point. We just tried to be more relaxed and take a deep breath before playing," said Chandra, who received $5,000 for being Indonesia's best shuttler in the event.

Coach Atik Djauhari said that the doubles, especially Chandra, were very nervous.

"Luckily, the Malaysians were also nervous in the critical points. If they hadn't been, we might have lost. As their coach, I was a bit disappointed with their performance but we thank God for the win," he said.

Indonesian Badminton Association chairman Soerjadi said that the key to success was teamwork, team spirit and supporters. (yan)

Results

Indonesia bt Malaysia 3-0: Indra Wijaya bt Ong Ewe Hock 18-13, 4-15, 15-11; Sigit Budiarto/Chandra Wijaya bt Wong Choon Hann/Lee Chee Leong 15-7, 15-12; Budi Santoso bt Pang Chen 15-2, 15-2

Chinese Taipei bt South Korea 2-1: Fung Permadi bt Park Sung-woo 15-5, 15-8; Huang Shih Chung/Chien Yu Hsun lost to Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung 13-15, 7-15; Chang Jeng Shyuang bt Kim Chul-joong 15-9, 15-4

Sigit -- Page 13