Indonesia, Malaysia in badminton final

Indonesia, Malaysia in badminton final

KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Defending champion Indonesia will renew its arch-rivalry in the men's badminton team with Malaysia at the Southeast Asian Games after they both scored a convincing 3-0 win in their respective semifinals on Monday.

While host Malaysia found no difficulty in disposing of lowly Singapore, the Indonesians were forced to stretch muscle against dark horse Thailand.

Indonesian first singles Hendrawan dropped the first game before overcoming Boonsak Polsana 16-17, 15-12, 15-4 to put his team 1-0 up.

Former world champions Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto gave Indonesia an unassailable 2-0 lead but also needed an extra time to douse the fire of Thailand's feisty doubles team of Tesana Panvisvas and Pramote Teerawiwatana 15-13, 7-15, 15-5.

In the third rubber, which served as a formality, Marleve Mainaky beat Anuphap Theeraratsakul 15-9, 14-17, 15-9 to complete the clean sweep.

Veteran shuttler Ong Ewe Hock gave host Malaysia an ideal start with a 15-9, 15-7 win over Gerald Ho Hee Teck in the first singles. Then Wong Choong Hann settled the issue beyond doubt, outclassing Kenny Quek Chuon Loong 15-2, 15-7. Chan Chong Ming defeated Mohd Malik Masri 15-7, 15-4 to make it 3-0.

The format of the tie in the team event depends on agreement reached by the two playing teams.

In the women's team, Indonesia defeated Malaysia 3-0in the 21st Southeast Asian Games Monday, setting the stage for a finals clash with Thailand.

Lydia, Indonesia's number one women's singles player who is still smarting from a knee injury, outclassed host shuttler Ng Mee Fen in straight sets 11-7, 11-6.

"I played a little slow because of my injury. I was a little bit scared to move fast," the 27-year-old Lydia said after the match at the Malawati Stadium near Kuala Lumpur. "But somehow I tried to strike as much as possible."

Doubles pair Deyana Lomban/Vita Marissa overcame Malaysia's duo Wong Pei Tty/Noorhasikin Amin in a match that saw the home pair come back to equalize 8-8 after trailing 1-8 in the second set, thanks to several unforced errors by the Indonesian opponents.

"I lost concentration and played slower after we led 1-8," the 25-year-old Deyana told reporters.

Second singles player Yuli Marfuah sealed Indonesia's victory by defeating Wong Miew Kheng in rubber sets 11-6, 9-11, 11-5.

In another semifinal match, Thailand beat unfancied Vietnam 3- 0.