Malaysia happy with rejection for change in order of play

[ants]

April 15th
TheStar

THERE were mixed feelings for the Malaysian shuttlers after the team managers’ meeting yesterday.

The players were left in the dark yet again when the draw for individual event was delayed.

Two days ago, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) were supposed to release the draw for the individual competitions, which begin on March 19.

Tournament referee Ajith Wijayasinghe said: “There were concerns over the players’ seeding. But, under IBF rules, draws are released between one week and 48 hours before a tournament begins.

“So, there is no reason for anyone to be disappointed. But it is certainly better if we had the draw earlier. We will have another team managers’ meeting on March 19.”

But there was joy for Malaysia on learning that a request to change the order of player for the mixed team event had been turned down.

“Some teams with strong doubles pairs want a tie to begin with the mixed doubles. We debated it for 45 minutes,” said Wijayasinghe.

“The IBF rules state that a tie starts with the men’s singles followed by the women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and the mixed doubles.

“A change to the format of play will only be made if players are involved in two consecutive matches. The second option is to move the women’s singles. If there are still problems, the tournament referee will make a decision.”

If the mixed doubles match is played first, Malaysia will certainly be under more pressure in a tie against England, who have 2004 Athens Olympic Games silver medallists Nathan Robertson-Gail Emms in their team.

The mixed team competition begins tomorrow and top seeds Malaysia and defending champions England are tipped to meet in the final.

[hcyong]

I know many people have the opposite opinion, but I don't see any significance in the order of matches. Even if Malaysia is 2-1 up with the XD coming last, the pressure is also high on the Malaysian to wrap up the tie. At 2-2, England will most likely win 3-2. The same goes if the XD comes first. England leading 1-0 should not make any difference. If Malaysia wants to win, Malaysia has to win by at least 3-1 in the remaining matches anyway, whether the XD comes first or last.

[Han]

The sequence of event will have psychological effect to players, not audience. Every team want to have good start to boost the moral of the players and once the spirit is up on one team while down on the opposition team, the outcome may be different especially when both team are very balance. Imagine if UK win the XD(1st event) and follow by the WS(Wong Miew Choo vs Tracey), don't you think Tracey will be more pump up than Miew Choo who will definately feel more pressure? Imagine if Miew Choo lose and follow by MD, do you think Koo Kien Kiat/Chan Chong Ming can overcome the must win presssure over Blair/Clark?
Same thing can be said about the new Thomas Cup format, 3 singles follow by 2 doubles, will be difficult for Indoensia(with only Taufik) and tremendous advantage for China(so many of them). By the time 3 singles are over, Indoensia most probably already 1-2 and China 2-1(if not 3-0). Not much different for Malaysia and Denmark as these 2 countries are more balance in both departments, IMHO.