Indonesia whips Malaysia 3-0 in showdown

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesia beat Malaysia 3-0 in an exhibition match on Tuesday, with emerging star Taufik Hidayat enthralling 2,500 spectators at Among Rogo Sports Hall with his skills.

He defeated Samad Ismail in a tight 13-15, 15-10, 15-9. Budi Santoso earlier overcame Malaysian veteran Ong Ewe Hock 15-6, 15- 10. In the doubles match, the new partnership of Tony Gunawan and Antonius defeated newly crowned Singapore Open champions Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah 15-4, 15-5 for the clean sweep.

Taufik, fresh from his championship title in the Indonesia Open in Denpasar last week, was forced to the limit by Samad. Down 6-13 in the first game, Taufik scrambled back to win tie the score but Samad won two more points for the game.

In the second game, world number five Taufik controlled the rhythm and won 15-10. The 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist only needed 12 minutes to overcome the Malaysian to win the match 15-9 in the deciding game.

"I was not really serious because I think he didn't really perform to his full strength," Taufik, 18, told The Jakarta Post after the match.

Taufik -- who was scheduled to receive an award from the government on National Sports Day on Thursday in Surakarta, Central Java -- said he would instead take a week-long break at his home in Bandung.

"I have turned down the invitation to the National Sports Day ceremony because I am exhausted."

In a packed schedule in recent weeks, Taufik competed in the SEA Games in early August before the Singapore and Indonesia opens.

Budi, world number six, said Ong was not playing at the top of his game.

"He's a tough player and I respect him for showing his world class playing," he said.

Ong, who has been absent from tournament play for several months due to a leg injury, acknowledged he was not back in form.

Malaysian coach Koay Farlin told the Post that Malaysia did not field its top players in the Indonesia Open because the shuttlers were preparing for the exhibition after competing in the Konica Cup Singapore Open.

"We competed in Singapore one week prior to the Indonesia Open. We were looking forward to the duel meet," he said. (44)