Gold medal favourites Indonesia are through to the men’s team final in the badminton competition at the 32nd SEA Games after defeating Singapore 3–1 on Wednesday (10 May) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Indonesia were helped on their way by a big opening win from Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo. The world number 19 dropped his first game to world number 4 Loh Kean Yew, but bounced back to see off the Asian continental silver medallist 10–21 21–7 24–22.
That set the Indonesians, who received a bye past the quarter-finals as only seven teams took part in the event, on the path to victory.
Muhammad Shohibul Fikri / Bagas Maulana extended their lead with a straight-games 21–15 21–17 win over Singapore’s Terry Hee / Loh Kean Hean, and looked to be on their way to securing a straight-rubber win.
However, Singapore’s Jason Teh threw a spanner in the works for the Indonesians. Having fallen behind by losing his first game, and again falling 2–7 down in the deciding game, Teh fought back to keep his side alive with a 15–21 21–12 21–14 win over Christian Adinata.
Speaking to Olympics.com in the mixed zone, Teh said: “The first set, the reason why I lost it was because I’ve been too defensive. Because my opponent’s strong point is to set up for the attack and I kept playing towards his strong points. The second set and third set, I changed my strategy a little bit, I tried to gain more advantage from the front and I think that’s how I won today’s match.”
However, his efforts were in vain as the second Indonesian doubles pairing of Pramudya Kusumawardana / Yeremia Rambitan sealed the overall win with a 21–18 21–16 triumph over Nge Joo Jie / Johann Prajogo.
As losing semi-finalists, Singapore win bronze as there is no bronze-medal playoff.
The second men’s semi-final between Thailand and Malaysia went the distance of five matches, with Malaysia seeing a 2–0 lead levelled by strong Thai resistance.
Leong Jun Hao as well as Beh Chun Meng / Goh Boon Zhe had both won their matches in three games, but Thailand bounced back with straight-games wins from Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul as well as Ruttanapak Oupthong / Nanthakarn Yordphaisong.
However, the Malaysians finally eked out the victory as Kok Jing Hong saw off Saran Jamsri 21–12 21–13 in the deciding match.
Malaysia and Indonesia will go head-to-head in the final on Thursday, while Thailand join Singapore on the third step of the podium.
Earlier, Thailand and Indonesia are through to the women’s team final on Thursday.
Top seeds Thailand dropped the opening rubber of their match to Singapore, with Lalinrat Chaiwan unable to hold off the more experienced Yeo Jia Min as Yeo won 21–15 21–6.
It seemed like an upset might have been on the cards when women’s doubles world number 9s Jongkolphan Kititharakul / Rawinda Prajongjai dropped the first game of the second rubber to Jin Yu Jia / Crystal Wong, but Jongkolphan and Rawinda righted the ship to level the tie with a 12–21 21–9 21–14 win.
Supanida Kaethong and the Aimsaard sisters then each won their respective matches to secure a 3–1 victory for the Thai side.
Indonesia, meanwhile, secured a straight 3–0 win over surprise semi-finalists Philippines. Komang Dewi, Febriana Kusuma / Amalia Pratiwi, and Ester Wardoyo all took their matches in straight games.
Singapore and Philippines will leave Phnom Penh with bronze medals.
