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| Indonesia Asian Team Badminton Championship Champions |
Young Indonesians down China to show they are Thomas Cup contenders
BADMINTON
Monday, 12 Feb 2018
by kng zheng guan
Back in form: The Japan women’s team posing with their trophy after beating China in the final of the Asia Team Badminton Championships yesterday. — Bernama
ALOR SETAR: Indonesia have sounded a warning to their rivals that they are bent on winning the Thomas Cup after a lapse of 16 years – with their younger generation of players.
The team powered by Kuala Lumpur SEA Games champion Jonatan Christie stamped their class at the men’s Asia Team Championships by beating China 3-1 in the final at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium yesterday.
Indonesia, who last won the Thomas Cup in 2002, will go to the Finals in Bangkok, Thailand from May 20-27, with mostly younger players.
Coming from the brink of defeat in the semi-finals a day earlier in Kedah, Indonesia were in inspired mood yesterday.
In the semi-finals on Saturday, Indonesia had built a 2-0 lead only for South Korea to draw level at 2-2.
The Koreans in fact were one point away from making the final as Lee Dong-keun had six match points against Firman Abdul Kholik.
But the 20-year-old Firman saved all match points before going on to win 22-20, 11-21, 22-20
The world No. 86’s incredible fighting spirit certainly served as motivation for his teammates in the final yesterday as Jonatan played superbly to upstage world No. 7 Shi Yuqi 16-21, 21-17, 21-18.
“I thought we were going home in the semi-finals as Firman was 14-20 down,” admitted the 20-year-old Jonatan.
“Yuqi is a tough player. We’re both young so it was all about who’s mentally and physically stronger.
“And I’m really proud to have delivered the first point for Indonesia,” said the world No. 13.
With one point in the bag, Indonesia rode on the strength of Mohd Ahsan-Angga Pratama, who put the inexperienced He Jiting-Tan Qiang to the sword with a 21-19, 21-18 win.
China, however pulled a point back when world No. 26 Qiao Bin downed world No. 9 Anthony Ginting 21-12, 11-21, 21-14.
But there was no stopping Indonesia and the pair of Rian Agung Saputro-Hendra Setiawan sealed the win by beating Han Chengkai-Zhou Haodong 21-14, 21-19.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/badminton/2018/02/12/the-power-of-youth/#S6kFmkjoVEWy8bCc.99
BADMINTON
Monday, 12 Feb 2018
by kng zheng guan
Back in form: The Japan women’s team posing with their trophy after beating China in the final of the Asia Team Badminton Championships yesterday. — Bernama
ALOR SETAR: Indonesia have sounded a warning to their rivals that they are bent on winning the Thomas Cup after a lapse of 16 years – with their younger generation of players.
The team powered by Kuala Lumpur SEA Games champion Jonatan Christie stamped their class at the men’s Asia Team Championships by beating China 3-1 in the final at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium yesterday.
Indonesia, who last won the Thomas Cup in 2002, will go to the Finals in Bangkok, Thailand from May 20-27, with mostly younger players.
Coming from the brink of defeat in the semi-finals a day earlier in Kedah, Indonesia were in inspired mood yesterday.
In the semi-finals on Saturday, Indonesia had built a 2-0 lead only for South Korea to draw level at 2-2.
The Koreans in fact were one point away from making the final as Lee Dong-keun had six match points against Firman Abdul Kholik.
But the 20-year-old Firman saved all match points before going on to win 22-20, 11-21, 22-20
The world No. 86’s incredible fighting spirit certainly served as motivation for his teammates in the final yesterday as Jonatan played superbly to upstage world No. 7 Shi Yuqi 16-21, 21-17, 21-18.
“I thought we were going home in the semi-finals as Firman was 14-20 down,” admitted the 20-year-old Jonatan.
“Yuqi is a tough player. We’re both young so it was all about who’s mentally and physically stronger.
“And I’m really proud to have delivered the first point for Indonesia,” said the world No. 13.
With one point in the bag, Indonesia rode on the strength of Mohd Ahsan-Angga Pratama, who put the inexperienced He Jiting-Tan Qiang to the sword with a 21-19, 21-18 win.
China, however pulled a point back when world No. 26 Qiao Bin downed world No. 9 Anthony Ginting 21-12, 11-21, 21-14.
But there was no stopping Indonesia and the pair of Rian Agung Saputro-Hendra Setiawan sealed the win by beating Han Chengkai-Zhou Haodong 21-14, 21-19.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/badminton/2018/02/12/the-power-of-youth/#S6kFmkjoVEWy8bCc.99
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