RI smashes its way past Malaysia in badminton

By Bruce Emond

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's mighty female shuttlers made quick work of Malaysia yesterday to book their expected final place.

The host team will face Thailand, a 3-2 winner over Singapore, in the final today.

Spearheaded by Susi Susanti and Mia Audina, the two top singles players in Southeast Asia and among the best in the world, the Indonesian squad seemed to be racing against the clock in the 5-0 drubbing.

Except for a few spirited rallies at the beginning of each game, Susi was too strong, skilled and experienced for Malaysian first singles Lee Yin Yin in winning 11-2, 11-3.

She played a cat-and-mouse game with Lee, keeping her pinned in the back court with deft lobs, and then ending rallies with delicate drop shots.

The difference in class was also glaringly apparent in the doubles between Eliza/Zelin of Indonesia and Chong Nga Fan/Ang Li Peng.

The Indonesians gave their opponents a lesson in teamwork, placement and court coverage in romping to a 15-1, 15-3 victory.

It was left to Mia Audina, the Atlanta Olympic silver medalist and still only 18 years old, to complete the inevitable Indonesian win.

Playing against Ishwari Boopathy, Mia was able to dictate the tempo of the rallies as she won 11-1, 11-1. Her biggest problem seemed to be the slippery court surface, an understandable concern after an on-court fall in 1996 put her out of action for several months.

She was so comfortable that she treated her fans to a display of her varied shot repertoire, including an around-the-head overhead, in the final points of the match.

In the final two matches, Mieliawati beat Woon Sze Mei, and Isolina/Deyana defeated Lee/Norashikin Amin.

Men's event

Malaysia's men, longstanding traditional rivals of Indonesia, fared better in beating Thailand 4-1.

Even without Olympic silver medalist Rashid Sidek, the Malaysians had few problems.

Ong Ewe Hock scrambled for every shot and overpowered Apichai Teeraratsakul 15-1, 15-6.

The only blemish on their record was the loss of Chew Choon Eng/Lee Chee Leong to Siripong/Khunakorn.

Malaysia opens another chapter in the rivalry with Indonesia in the final this afternoon. Indonesia in tomorrow's final. The host team humbled the Philippines in the other semifinal.

Results

Women's team event

Indonesia def. Malaysia 5-0 (Indonesian names first)

Susi Susanti beat Lee Yin Yin 11-2, 11-3

Mia Audina beat Ishwari Boopathy 11-1, 11-1

Meilawati beat Woon Sze Mei 11-7, 11-3

Eliza/Zelin beat Chong Nga Fan/Ang Li Peng 15-1, 15-3

Isolina/Deyana beat Lee/Norashikin Amin 15-3, 15-5

Thailand def. Singapore (Thai names first)

Pornsanawan lost to Zarina Abdullah 11-8, 6-11, 4-11

Thitikan Duangsiri lost to Chin Yeng Peng 8-11, 10-12

Natsaran Boonvoramate beat Fatimah Cin Kumin 11-6, 11-8

Saralee/Ticha beat Abdullah/Zaneta Lee Yue 15-8, 15-1

Pornsawan/Somaharuthai beat Fatimah Lim Kumin/Chin 15-3, 15-1

Men's team event

Malaysia def. Thailand 4-1 (Malaysian names first)

Ong Ewe Hock beat Apichai Teeraratsakul 15-1, 15-6

Yong Hock Kin beat Nattapon Sarawan 15-6, 15-2

Jason Wong beat Anupharp Terratsakul 12-15, 15-3, 15-2

Tan Kim Her/Rosman Razak beat Pramote/Kitipon 15-7, 15-2

Chew Choon Eng/Lee Chee Leong lost to Siripong/Khunakorn 5-15,

12-15

Indonesia def. the Philippines (Indonesian names first)

Haryanto Arbi beat Jaime Llanes 15-2, 15-8

Indra Wijaya beat Rhamir Antonio 15-4, 15-8

Joko Suprianto beat Arolus Amahit 15-4, 15-1

Sigit Budiarto/Chandra Wijaya beat Melvin Llanes/Ian

Piencenaves 15-6, 15-6

Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky beat Naresh Ramnani/Anthony Ave 15-

2, 15-2