All England 2008:Day 2,1st round(Mar 5)

[robin7]

The World Champions are heading home....

[kwun]

Frankly, PJB must have taught his players how to handle the "marked" pairs like MAS and INA.

JPN is far ahead 15-6.

agree. PJB shows his value in how he has transformed the Japanese team.

[robin7]

The most embarrassing defeat for the World Champions 21-19 21-9.

[madbad]

MARKIS KIDO and HENDRA SETIAWAN.. I WILL GRILL YOU GUYS IF YOU DON'T WAKE UP!!! OMG! i know kido loves to sleep early...

You're hoping against hope. They got hammered 21-9 in the 2nd. #2 seed bites the dust

[xlasher]

It seems like Ci Fu will win this All England Title....:mad::mad::mad:

[madbad]

Should we say congrats Japan or congrats PJB?

[shenron]

congrats to JPN MD for their excellent performance today by beating both WR 2 and 3 within a day.....

[nick.h]

nnooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yannie]

maybe alvent and luluk will give people another heart attack today.. pening pening pusing pusing

[shenron]

They tend to lose to MAS MD especially CTF/LWW...so be careful!


It seems like Ci Fu will win this All England Title....:mad::mad::mad:

[madbad]

It seems like Ci Fu will win this All England Title....:mad::mad::mad:

I think Jae Sung JUNG/Yong Dae LEE have a shot

[xlasher]

Or may be the veteran pair:eek::eek:

[nick.h]

now its candra/tony's time to shine....AGAIN!

[robin7]

WS
Xie Xingfang [1]

MD
Kido/Hendra [2]
Koo/Tan [3]
Jens/Martin [7]

WD
Gail/Donna [8]

[shenron]

if only LWW/CTF can get through KOR pair, then it would be 50-50 with CHN pair as they really focussed this time considering their last participation in AE.

[shenron]

Will ZN follow the footstep of XXF??....

[badadum]

Don't disregard the JPN pairs themselves :)

[robin7]

congrats to JPN MD for their excellent performance today by beating both WR 2 and 3 within a day.....
The defeat of Kindra suddenly makes the loss of Kootan much better.

Wow, the unthinkable has happened and the title is now wide open for grab.

[madbad]

Battle of Japan coming up. Can the cuties justify their seeding? :D

[robin7]

LYD/JJS finished their opponents 21-2 in 8 mins.

[yannie]

now, i just wish that choong hann can win tonight!!!!

another interesting match is andre vs sony..

and lu yi vs kendrick lee (they look alike.. so funny they're playing against each other)

[shenron]

Yao/ZN .... now is leading 18 -15

[shenron]

Yao jie just won the 1st set...could it be another upset in the making?

[ye333]

They are very close to their 2nd AE title now. :cool:

[madbad]

ZN;'s form has been in deterioration over the last year. Unfathomable that she can lose a game to a CHN discard like Yao Jie

[robin7]

Oh dear, ZN lost the 1st game 15-21.

[yannie]

Yao jie just won the 1st set...could it be another upset in the making?

probably... :confused:

i think reiko-kumiko will beat teammates..

and that lee yong dae-jung jae sung gonna win easily..

jiang yanjiao is back! go yanjiaooooooooooo!!!

[madbad]

The two JPN pairs are engaged in a close one. Cuties 9-7

[shenron]

9 all now...Yao Jie is putting a fight against ZN....

[madbad]

Jiang will last only till the next round. I think WMC will knock her out. Anyway, at least she gave everyone PAW points for this round

[robin7]

Jiang is sailing thru 15-8 while Yao leads 12-11.

[madbad]

Yoa Jie now leading 13-11, I wonder based on her form whether ZN will be selected for the Olympics or not? :confused::confused:

[madbad]

Suetsana/Maeda even it up at 17-17, no they lead 18-17! :eek:

[robin7]

Jiang at match pt 20-12 while Yao leads 17-15.

Jiang won it 21-16 21-12.

[robin7]

ZN levels it at 17-all.

[madbad]

Cuties reclaim the lead 19-18 but gritty opponents level at 19-19
ZN finally leads 18-17

[Han]

Is Zhang can force a rubber then Zhang will win as Yao has pretty weak stamina

[xlasher]

Luluk alvent took the first set....

:cool::cool:

[madbad]

Great finish in store
JPN 20-20 JPN
YJ 19-18 ZN. ZN fighting for her life

[madbad]

Luluk alvent took the first set....

:cool::cool:

Probably closer than what they were expecting (21-18) :cool:

[madbad]

ZN at game point 20-19
JPN quartet locked at 21-21

[yannie]

wow wow great comeback from zhang ning!!!

i hope luvent will make it to the next round.. lol...

[madbad]

ZN squeaks it out 21-19. Louisa will be happy. Not impressive at all from ZN

[robin7]

ZN managed to force a rubber.

[madbad]

wow wow great comeback from zhang ning!!!

I think your reaction should be one more of relief than excitement considering the expectations

[madbad]

Dang, the Japanese are still at it. One thing for sure, no team orders in the JPN camp! :D Finally the cuties snatch it 24-22. Very close indeed

[robin7]

Is Zhang can force a rubber then Zhang will win as Yao has pretty weak stamina
R u sure? I thought ZN is much older than YJ.

It is sad to see ZN lose but...

[madbad]

R u sure? I thought ZN is much older than YJ.

Yeah but YJ is notorious for her lack of gas in the tank. we shall see.

[yannie]

I think your reaction should be one more of relief than excitement considering the expectations

yeah for sure regarding the zhang ning vs yao jie match..

[robin7]

Lukvent is thru to next round.

[xlasher]

:D:D:DALUK win the match....

Kendrick lee seems enjoy it....

[robin7]

Kendrick leads 11-4.

[robin7]

Now looks like 50:50 for YJ-ZN match.

[samuel882]

Looks like MAS gona depends on the veterans this time..
Come on Uncle Wong !

[xlasher]

This can be the match of the day and also when Chen Yu vs Lee Hyun Ill if I'm right??? It's tight either

[robin7]

I always get confused between Lu Yi and Li Yu.

Kendrick 14-6
Yao Jie 11-10

[shenron]

Yao Jie is really struggling with only 1 point difference each

[samuel882]

It seems some European and Japanese players having a great start today !

[robin7]

Lu Yi is closing the gap at 12-15 while ZN tied at 13-all.

[robin7]

Why WCH-Wacha match not started yet?

[shenron]

now...it's 16 -13 for Yao Jie

[madbad]

JJ opens up a 17-13 lead. Can she capitalize?

[shenron]

17 -13 ...come on Yao Jie...u can do it!

[samuel882]

Oh No ! The Chinese best No.1 & 2 WS is falling ....

[robin7]

Kendrick is having problems closing the 1st game and so is YJ.

[robin7]

Kendrick took the 1st game 21-17 while YJ tied at 17-all.

[madbad]

ZN roars back to 17-17. Jittery time now for both

[shenron]

now...ZN has taken the lead by 18 - 17

[shenron]

who reach 20 point first will win the game....he he

[samuel882]

can someone explain what happened to MK/HS & KOO/TAN?
both lost to Japanese pairs?
Gosh !

[robin7]

JJ opens up a 17-13 lead. Can she capitalize?
R u still thinking of Jun Jun?:D:p

[robin7]

YJ at match pt 20-19.

Bye bye ZN.

[shenron]

YESSSS....my word became true!!

[madbad]

YJ at match point 20-19 and she has knocked out the #2 seed. ZN GONE!

[apontoh]

ZN lost!!! another upset!!!

[xlasher]

Yao Jie win:):):)

[xlasher]

is it SDK match next????:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[madbad]

R u still thinking of Jun Jun?:D:p

Naughty, naughty Robin (OK I admit it, Jun is still on my mind :D:D:p)

[samuel882]

Uncle Wong is in trouble !

[winzerer]

yay jie joining to the club to day.......really exciting day many upsets

[robin7]

WS
Xie Xingfang [1]
Zhang Ning [2]

MD
Kido/Hendra [2]
Koo/Tan [3]
Jens/Martin [7]

WD
Gail/Donna [8]

[samuel882]

WS
Xie Xingfang [1]
Zhang Ning [2]

MD
Kido/Hendra [2]
Koo/Tan [3]
Jens/Martin [7]

WD
Gail/Donna [8]
Surprisingly, no upset for MS field :eek:

[robin7]

Wong Sifu, jiayou...

[samuel882]

Jia You ! Lu Yi !
U r the future of China !

[samuel882]

Veteran Wong enginees started slowly, need to turn up his turbo !

[madbad]

Shopping trip to Harrods in Knightsbridge, organized by the loser seeds:

1) WS#1 XXF
2) WS#2 ZN
3) MD#2 Markis/Hendra
4) MD#3 KKK/TBH
5) MD#7 Eriksen/L Hansen
6) WD#8 Emms/Kellog
7) MS Honorary guest: LHI
8) MS Honorary guest: PSH
9) WS Honorary guest: ZM

Spaces still available :D:D

[robin7]

LYB must be laughing at the 2 JPN WD pairs fighting like dogs.

[madbad]

LYB must be laughing at the 2 JPN WD pairs fighting like dogs.

PJB must be laughing at LYB and his now gone WS #1 & 2 seeds :D:D:D

[eaglehelang]

can someone explain what happened to MK/HS & KOO/TAN?
both lost to Japanese pairs?
Gosh !

Yup, I just woke up & found our MD only left the 2 uncles.
And WC champ & WR#1 lost too in 1st round. Kido/Setiawan points were only 9-21 in 2nd set, injury/illness?

Looks like this year is really Msia MS turn to win sthing.

[madbad]

JPN cuties finally put away their compatriots

[samuel882]

come on !Wong ! U r the fighters!

[madbad]

Wacha demolished WCH in the opener 21-12
Lu Yi 13-9 KL in 2nd

[robin7]

Camon, Wong Sifu, don't let LCW fight alone!

[eaglehelang]

Shopping trip to Harrods in Knightsbridge, organized by the loser seeds:

1) WS#1 XXF
2) WS#2 ZN
3) MD#2 Markis/Hendra
4) MD#3 KKK/TBH
5) MD#7 Eriksen/L Hansen
6) WD#8 Emms/Kellog
7) MS Honorary guest: LHI
8) MS Honorary guest: PSH
9) WS Honorary guest: ZM

Spaces still available :D:D

LOL, your pt no 3, Kido/Setiawan is currently World no 1

[madbad]

Once again Wacha off like a shot 4-0

[madbad]

LOL, your pt no 3, Kido/Setiawan is currently World no 1

Didn't play like one though:cool:

[samuel882]

AK47 is speeding up !

[eaglehelang]

Msia junior XD on court, hope Wee Kiong/Khe Wei put up a good fight

[madbad]

AK47 is speeding up !
That's a great nickname for Andre. Love it
AK47 6-2 Sony

[robin7]

Kendrick levels it at 15-all.

[samuel882]

Wong/Lu yi having a tense moment now

[samuel882]

Lu Yi please smash more !

[kwun]

WACHA is doing the Wacha thing against WCH at the moment.

21-12 / 7-6

[eaglehelang]

Didn't play like one though:cool:

They won back to back CO, HK 2007 and this year's MO 2008.
Favourites to win AE ths year. Badmania will be sad his heros arent in the list anymore.

This AE not good for Msia MD too, sthing wrong with the whole team.

[robin7]

Kendrick 18-16
WCH 6-7

[samuel882]

Make it Duce ! Lu Yi !

[samuel882]

They won back to back CO, HK 2007 and this year's MO 2008.
Favourites to win AE ths year. Badmania will be sad his heros arent in the list anymore.

This AE not good for Msia MD too, sthing wrong with the whole team.
I must admit REXY system is gona crack soon:rolleyes:

[robin7]

Kendrick 19-19
WCH 8-9

[madbad]

Wacha is holding WCH at bay 10-8
Lu 19-19 KL

[samuel882]

9-10! the real fighters is back

[samuel882]

Great ! Lu Yi ! U done a good job !

[madbad]

Lu Yi wins 21-19 to force a rubber
Wacha 11-9 WCH
Andre 14-6 Sony

[robin7]

WCH behind 9-11 while LY took the 2nd game 21-19.

[robin7]

Andre in huge lead 17-7

[samuel882]

:eek:Tan/Woon leading the English Pair !

[eaglehelang]

I must admit REXY system is gona crack soon:rolleyes:

Yeah, with the "resign then retract" thingy. Seems worse after Rexy had to take over WD too, after Cheah Soon Kit left.
MD crashed out in MO, MS saved the day by winning it, hopefully it's the same for AE. LCW havent won any of the 4 major titles, hungry for it.

[robin7]

Our AJC Tan/Woon 10-5 ahead

[samuel882]

Wong/ Lu yi.. fight fight!

[robin7]

Wong Sifu is not looking good.

[eaglehelang]

wow, our junior XD leading by 6 pts in 1 st set. Hope they can pull an upset to go thru to 2nd round. Hate seeing them lose 1st round all the time

[samuel882]

Lu Yi may produce his comeback power again in the decider

[samuel882]

Please close the Gap ! Wong!

[eaglehelang]

come on uncle Wong!

[eaglehelang]

hiyaaa samuel our uncle WCH is out.
Now our junior XD leading 20-12, good.

[samuel882]

LCW become the sole MAS survivor in MS :(

[robin7]

Tan/Woon secured the 1st game 21-13.

[yannie]

let's support lu yi!!! star of the future!!!

sony is crazy now

[samuel882]

hiyaaa samuel our uncle WCH is out.
Now our junior XD leading 20-12, good.
Probably the Brits pair underestimate the AJC.
Hopes Tan/Woon can hold on to their lead

[robin7]

Buck up, Kendrick!

[samuel882]

let's support lu yi!!! star of the future!!!

sony is crazy now
Yan ! Yeah Lu Yi ! The real future of China :)

[robin7]

Sony is fighting back in the 2nd game.

[robin7]

Kendrick, destroy the future star!

[apontoh]

Sony is showing who's boss , 15-5 in 2nd game.

[eaglehelang]

Probably the Brits pair underestimate the AJC.
Hopes Tan/Woon can hold on to their lead

yup, now traiing 5-8

[yannie]

what's up with sony.. so funny man 17-6 now, i think andre is getting sleepy...

[robin7]

I think it is unwise to have internal affair going into distance such as Andre-Sony match.

[eaglehelang]

surprisingly, Limpele/Marissa trailing 7-11 to British pair

[badadum]

I think it is unwise to have internal affair going into distance such as Andre-Sony match.

Don't tell me you're advocating LYB and his walkover tactic..... :mad:

[yannie]

good night everyone........ so sleepy......... hen kun........ ngantuk.............

[robin7]

Camon, Tan/Woon.....

[eaglehelang]

Funny, the points were 7-9, now changed to 7-8.

[madbad]

Flandy/Vita 13-13 with ENG/SCO pair
MAS 13-14 Clark/Kellog

[robin7]

Tan/Woon, u guys got to believe yourselves, the ENG pair is not that strong. U guys can beat them. Go for it.

[robin7]

The Polish pair at game pt 21-20. Yes, they took it.

[eaglehelang]

Another upset in the making British XD leading 19-15 over Limpele/Marissa

[apontoh]

Another upset, Flandy/Vita lost...wow, so many upsets todAY...

[robin7]

FlanVi lost to the ENG/SCO pair.

[eaglehelang]

Yikes, straight set upset, Limpele/Marissa lost
Msia junior XD couldnt hack it in the end. Donna/Clark won

[madbad]

Flandy/Vita join the Harrods shopping extravaganza!
Updated list of shopping trip to Harrods in Knightsbridge, organized by the loser seeds:

1) WS#1 XXF
2) WS#2 ZN
3) MD#2 Markis/Hendra
4) MD#3 KKK/TBH
5) MD#7 Eriksen/L Hansen
6) WD#8 Emms/Kellog
7) MS Honorary guest: LHI
8) MS Honorary guest: PSH
9) WS Honorary guest: ZM
10) XD#3 Flandy/Vita

[robin7]

WS
Xie Xingfang [1]
Zhang Ning [2]

MD
Kido/Hendra [2]
Koo/Tan [3]
Jens/Martin [7]

WD
Gail/Donna [8]

XD
Zheng/Gao [1]
Flandy/Vita [3]
Sudket/Saralee [7]

[coops241180]

incredibly the poles are a game up against the first seeds.. seems the asians are all struggling in the european weather :D:D

[Silencer]

MS
LEE CHONG WEI

WS
WONG MEW CHOO

MD
CHOONG/LEE

what a disaster for the mas team:crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::cryin g::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying: :crying::crying:

[robin7]

MS
LEE CHONG WEI

WS
WONG MEW CHOO

MD
CHOONG/LEE
U forgot WD CHIN/WONG.

[huangkwokhau]

so many upset today.......Cai Yun/FHF has a chance to defend but they have to be careful with Jonas/Lars..........

[badMania]

Sigh, just woke up to see so many upset results :mad::mad:

Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan lost tamely to the improving Japanese pair of Tadashi Ohtsuka/Keita Masuda (who lost to Rian/Yoke last week) :crying::crying:

Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa lost in straight sets to the unheralded Scottish pair Robert Blair/Imogen Bankier :mad:

Mohd Rijal/Greysia Polii also lost as expected to Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam 18-21, 7-21.

Sigh...look's like its another bad year for Kido/Hendra (like last year) at the AE :mad:

[sjoe]

so many upset today.......Cai Yun/FHF has a chance to defend but they have to be careful with Jonas/Lars..........

Is good for Badminton especially toward Olympic and Thomas Cup. Exciting !
Look at the draw now, only two possible Walkover affair. In Msingle, Bao vs Chen Yu and in Wsingle, Wang Yihan vs Lu Lan. In Wsingle both Wang and Lu are equal standard non contender for ranking thus no point of Walkover.

[badMania]

The most embarrassing defeat for the World Champions 21-19 21-9.

I have to agree on this one :o
The most embarrassing scoreline since the AE last year's defeat against a scratch Korean Pair. History repeats itself, except that its an established Japanese pair now :crying:

[huangkwokhau]

Is good for Badminton especially toward Olympic and Thomas Cup. Exciting !
Look at the draw now, only two possible Walkover affair. In Msingle, Bao vs Chen Yu and in Wsingle, Wang Yihan vs Lu Lan. In Wsingle both Wang and Lu are equal standard non contender for ranking thus no point of Walkover.
I hope they play................

[cooler]

look at the japan doubles team progress, I say bong joo park is responsible for that...

[samuel882]

Who is the hottest coach for doubles now?
Tian Bing Yi ? No
Rexy? No
Lee Dong Soo? No
Definately Park Joo bong !

[Jessica]

Sigh..I just wake up ans saw so many dissapointed results...Don't know what to say anymore...

[coops241180]

hehe.. i can't believe how strange a day it's been..

the MD draw is almost unrecognizable.. with so many pairs falling.. gutted to see Jens and Martin out - altho perhaps it is time for Jen to call it a day - the guy is almost 40.. i don't think even Tony and Candra are that old (?)

Blair/Bankier while it is a surprise i think perhaps they are beneifiting from being new and nobody being quite sure how to play them.. Blair has been on the circuit (previously with Natalie Munt who now plays with Pole Michael Logosz) for a while and was in the top 16 mixed pairs this time last year.. tomorrow's game against the TPE players should be closer.. if they get thru that they will be up against the home crowd on friday so log as nathan and gail negotiate the koreans in their rd 2 match

did setiawan get injured or something? to lose a game to 9 when your seeded that high is pretty odd - i'm suspecting one of them perhaps tweaked something...

[zqloy]

I think Chn will sweep 5 titles this time, pickin up from last year where they left.

[huangkwokhau]

hehe.. i can't believe how strange a day it's been..

the MD draw is almost unrecognizable.. with so many pairs falling.. gutted to see Jens and Martin out - altho perhaps it is time for Jen to call it a day - the guy is almost 40.. i don't think even Tony and Candra are that old (?)

Blair/Bankier while it is a surprise i think perhaps they are beneifiting from being new and nobody being quite sure how to play them.. Blair has been on the circuit (previously with Natalie Munt who now plays with Pole Michael Logosz) for a while and was in the top 16 mixed pairs this time last year.. tomorrow's game against the TPE players should be closer.. if they get thru that they will be up against the home crowd on friday so log as nathan and gail negotiate the koreans in their rd 2 match

did setiawan get injured or something? to lose a game to 9 when your seeded that high is pretty odd - i'm suspecting one of them perhaps tweaked something...

I do not think Hendra or Kido was injured....they just did not well...plan and simple...sometimes..you have to accept that you lose the match badly......I am so dissapointed too...:(:(

[zqloy]

I do not think Hendra or Kido was injured....they just did not well...plan and simple...sometimes..you have to accept that you lose the match badly......I am so dissapointed too...:(:(

The Indonesians and Msians r gonna play the abang-adik game again. Msians r extremely disappointed with our MD's performance, esp KKK/TBH.... lost 3 times to the Japs??? Really cant take it..... :mad:

[Dreamzz]

this has been the most AMAZING opening round to a SS ever ...

we have lost KKK/TBH, Jens/Martin, Kido/Setiawan, Zhang Ning, XXF and Flandy/Vita!

i'm dissapointed we won't get to see them play in the later stages, but i think it's great for the sport ....

[Han]

I do not think Hendra or Kido was injured....they just did not well...plan and simple...sometimes..you have to accept that you lose the match badly......I am so dissapointed too...:(:(

I think sometime the big title won will take the "edge" away from the players and when the pressure of "can't afford to lose" started to sip in, jitter will cause all these uncharacteristic errors. How to do damage control before it spiral out of control is the question, KKK/TBH is the good example of this free-falling.

[badMania]

I think sometime the big title won will take the "edge" away from the players and when the pressure of "can't afford to lose" started to sip in, jitter will cause all these uncharacteristic errors. How to do damage control before it spiral out of control is the question, KKK/TBH is the good example of this free-falling.

Mas Sigit Pamungkas better rectify this problem before it turns to be a bigger one :o But, the scoreline was close enough during their last encounter in the HKG Open 2007, which I watched "live", with the Japanese pair managing to match the INA pair in the early exchanges, only to lose it to the fast-drives of the INA pair in the late stage.

Looking at the scoreline in the first set, the INA pair was leading big-time at 17-11, before the Japanese pair eventually closed in and overtook them.
Once Kido/Hendra lost the first set, the second set was a goner from the start. The scoreline resembled the defeat to Paaske/Rasmussen in the Korea Open 2nd Round earlier this year too.

A case of overconfidence here perhaps?

As for Flandy/Vita, its the same case as their first round loss in the Malaysia Open to some unheralded pair. Overconfidence+engine not hot yet I presume.

[abedeng]

As for MAS MD, it's more a case of lack of confidence ...... and we need new blood for MS, all but LCW are over the hill.

I am happiest with MAS XD performance, they forced the AE runnerups to the brink ..... More experience, and one day they will pull through.

[Maximum]

i wonder what rexy will do this time since kkk/tbh and others of his charges sufffer a first round defeat... quits again? i hope not~

[X Ball]

i wonder what rexy will do this time since kkk/tbh and others of his charges sufffer a first round defeat... quits again? i hope not~

He should get used to it, and I think he will. Else, I think he should go.

[X Ball]

Who is the hottest coach for doubles now?
Tian Bing Yi ? No
Rexy? No
Lee Dong Soo? No
Definately Park Joo bong !


Yes, I thought he was good when he was coaching Malaysians. But of course, he went through a bit of a patch too and left. To bring the Japs up to win against two top pairs, we must salute him. Lovely.

I just hope Rexy has gotten used to defeats and not do a 'dunna-runna' (i.e. run away from defeats).

[samuel882]

Yes, I thought he was good when he was coaching Malaysians. But of course, he went through a bit of a patch too and left. To bring the Japs up to win against two top pairs, we must salute him. Lovely.

I just hope Rexy has gotten used to defeats and not do a 'dunna-runna' (i.e. run away from defeats).

Exactly. Success never come from the sky in the nick of time.
I can't really remember how long did Park spend at Japan before their MD comes out from nowhere..

[eaglehelang]

Mas Sigit Pamungkas better rectify this problem before it turns to be a bigger one :o But, the scoreline was close enough during their last encounter in the HKG Open 2007, which I watched "live", with the Japanese pair managing to match the INA pair in the early exchanges, only to lose it to the fast-drives of the INA pair in the late stage.

Looking at the scoreline in the first set, the INA pair was leading big-time at 17-11, before the Japanese pair eventually closed in and overtook them.
Once Kido/Hendra lost the first set, the second set was a goner from the start. The scoreline resembled the defeat to Paaske/Rasmussen in the Korea Open 2nd Round earlier this year too.

A case of overconfidence here perhaps?

As for Flandy/Vita, its the same case as their first round loss in the Malaysia Open to some unheralded pair. Overconfidence+engine not hot yet I presume.

Badmania, I was just going to ask, like coops, I wonder is either Kido/Setiawan injured or ill? Losing 9-21 in 2nd set is odd for your 2 heros, they dont lose such a big gap.

Limpele/Marissa scoreline was close, 2 pts difference, esp in 2nd set, they were behind, then they lead, then suddenly they lost - robin7, samuel & I were 'watching'. Case of engine not warmed up & started yet I suppose.

[cooler]

look at the japan doubles team progress, I say bong joo park is responsible for that...


Who is the hottest coach for doubles now?
Tian Bing Yi ? No
Rexy? No
Lee Dong Soo? No
Definately Park Joo bong !
Am I'm hearing my echo??:p

[eaglehelang]

i wonder what rexy will do this time since kkk/tbh and others of his charges sufffer a first round defeat... quits again? i hope not~

Rexy did state that if KKK/TBH didnt defend the AE title, it's not the end of the world, he's gotten used to the defeats or failures. Too many times want to quit then retract, embarassing also for Rexy.

Like Abedeng said, it's a case of lost of confidence as we saw in TBH. Other pairs too.

[badMania]

Badmania, I was just going to ask, like coops, I wonder is either Kido/Setiawan injured or ill? Losing 9-21 in 2nd set is odd for your 2 heros, they dont lose such a big gap.


They also lost 12-21 to Paaske/Rasmussen as soon as they lost the first set 18-21 in the Korea Open.

The trend was witnessed a number of times, including the numerous encounters against Koo/Tan last year.

Singapore Open 2007: 18-21, 13-21 (to Choong/Lee)
Macau Open 2007: 18-21, 11-21 (to Koo/Tan)
Denmark Open 2007: 18-21, 10-21 (to Koo/Tan)
French Open 2007: 10-21 in the first set (to Choong/Lee)

[X Ball]

Rexy did state that if KKK/TBH didnt defend the AE title, it's not the end of the world, he's gotten used to the defeats or failures. Too many times want to quit then retract, embarassing also for Rexy.

Like Abedeng said, it's a case of lost of confidence as we saw in TBH. Other pairs too.


Actually, whoever suggested that KKK should maybe partner Zakry, I think it is a great idea. But of course, I know it is hard to change. TBH is becoming too predictable.

[Loh]

Now poor Hafiz can't be singled out as only the yo-yo bogeyman of Malaysia. He has company now. Many!

If I am not mistaken, last year's AE saw the Malaysian MD pairs dishing out such a scintilatting performance culminating in KKK/TBH capturing the MD title after a drought of so many years. Just as Hafiz has done so in 2003 (?) by capturing the AE title and giving immense joy to Malaysian badminton fans and the country in general.

KKK/TBH also brought euphoria to the Malayan fans last year and Rexy was hailed as the best MD coach ever.

How fortunes have changed!

Rexy has threatened resignation twice because the boys were not performing to expectation during the past year, principally because they were not following instructions. I hope it is still not too late for them to redeem themselves, so close to the Beijing Olympics and ranking points are getting increasingly more difficult to accumulate.

On the other hand, the legendary Park Joo Bong has surfaced as the shining light of Japan's current MD powerhouse, hitherto non-existent. It has taken a while for him to produce the current results, but patience paid off for him and his boys in the end.

Clearly it takes time to gel the partnerships and to instill the special skills needed to perform better on court. No fly-by-night success miracle!

Maybe with more time and patience, Rexy will be able to turn the tables around and be in time to transform the Malaysian MDs, particularly KKK/TBH into a real force to reckon with by the time the Beijing Olympics beckons.

The young lads should learn by now that their success last year was almost a flash in the pan and their swell-headedness should dissipate altogether to make way for a down-to-earth reassessment of their abilities and work hard on their weaknesses.

Rexy and his MD lads have just about 5 months to rectify all shortcomings before the Beijing Olympics!

Meantime, even Park Joo Bong will not let his guard down and will continue to push his charges real hard to topple the best there is.

He and his boys don't want to wear the Yo-yo tag, I'm sure.

[hcyong]

Well, the one-week time span between the success and failure of the Korean MS contingent gives us a clue on the fickleness of form.

[pjswift]

this has been the most AMAZING opening round to a SS ever ...

we have lost KKK/TBH, Jens/Martin, Kido/Setiawan, Zhang Ning, XXF and Flandy/Vita!

i'm dissapointed we won't get to see them play in the later stages, but i think it's great for the sport ....
Agree.It's great for badminton. That's why the NSS is so fantastic.Two problems for top ranked seeds:1)Unfancied opponents knowing all about them and well prepared to take them on and out.2)Seeds may know about 'no-match' opponents but have no idea how much they have improved.It seems lower ranked players can improve dramatically month to month.Looks like 'unknowns' are the scariest opponents.

[X Ball]

Well, the one-week time span between the success and failure of the Korean MS contingent gives us a clue on the fickleness of form.

One suspects the difference between a win and a loss has narrowed. The players' skills are so close -- that just any small factor can assist anyone to win. Perhaps LYI was used too much in the GO.

[abedeng]

Somehow the energy expended (physical, mental and spiritual) per game is more now in the NSS, compared to the old system. Even though games in the old system can go on to almost 2 hrs.

LHI had per capita the most number of matches per tournament this year, he was in the final of MO, KO and GO.

[eaglehelang]

1) Rexy has threatened resignation twice because the boys were not performing to expectation during the past year, principally because they were not following instructions. I hope it is still not too late for them to redeem themselves, so close to the Beijing Olympics and ranking points are getting increasingly more difficult to accumulate.

On the other hand, the legendary Park Joo Bong has surfaced as the shining light of Japan's current MD powerhouse, hitherto non-existent. It has taken a while for him to produce the current results, but patience paid off for him and his boys in the end.

Clearly it takes time to gel the partnerships and to instill the special skills needed to perform better on court. No fly-by-night success miracle!

Maybe with more time and patience, Rexy will be able to turn the tables around and be in time to transform the Malaysian MDs, particularly KKK/TBH into a real force to reckon with by the time the Beijing Olympics beckons.

2) The young lads should learn by now that their success last year was almost a flash in the pan and their swell-headedness should dissipate altogether to make way for a down-to-earth reassessment of their abilities and work hard on their weaknesses.

Rexy and his MD lads have just about 5 months to rectify all shortcomings before the Beijing Olympics!

Meantime, even Park Joo Bong will not let his guard down and will continue to push his charges real hard to topple the best there is.

He and his boys don't want to wear the Yo-yo tag, I'm sure.

Errrr 1) The 2nd resignation was given cos certain quarters questioned Rexy's ability as a coach, started since WC 2007 debacle. That was the reason Rexy gave, which I'm not surprised. Foreign coaches loyalty are often questioned.

2) Errrrr also here, it's not big-headedness or swell headedness. It's lack of confidence, esp TBH, he lost his usual "fearless" TBH to now "fear of failure" TBH. The bashing doesnt help either. WC 2007, PJB saw that & capitalised on it, quite a number of opponents have seen that, i.e. TBH being the weak link.

The rest, we'll see, we'll see.

[eaglehelang]

Actually, whoever suggested that KKK should maybe partner Zakry, I think it is a great idea. But of course, I know it is hard to change. TBH is becoming too predictable.

KKK used to partner Gan Teck Chai in his junior days, won Asia Junior or sthing but didnt go far. Gan is a shortie like Zakry.
If KKK is to partner Zakry, they have to change formation, since Zakry is a shortie.
Many also feel Zakry + Lin Woon Fui combo would be better as both have stronger mental strength.
They cant keep changing partners, even if after OG. TBH & KKK together won major titles, KKK didnt win those titles with his other partners, including the more experienced CCM -must be sthing good about the partnership.

Kido/Setiawan, Fu/Cai stuck together even thru their drought time, esp their early years together.

[X Ball]

KKK used to partner Gan Teck Chai in his junior days, won Asia Junior or sthing but didnt go far. Gan is a shortie like Zakry.
If KKK is to partner Zakry, they have to change formation, since Zakry is a shortie.
Many also feel Zakry + Lin Woon Fui combo would be better as both have stronger mental strength.
They cant keep changing partners, even if after OG. TBH & KKK together won major titles, KKK didnt win those titles with his other partners, including the more experienced CCM -must be sthing good about the partnership.

Kido/Setiawan, Fu/Cai stuck together even thru their drought time, esp their early years together.

You may be right -- I really don't know the formula. It was just that Zakry is a smart player and I figure if we put him with KKK, it might be the smart pair.

[Tommy Susanto]

Oh I can take things quite lightly but some balance is the best
Ar...principle is your top priority:cool:

[Tommy Susanto]

Hehehe, he accused me of not having enough fun, so I'm just following his orders :D;)

Using "accused" in your post appeared to me like you are not having the kind of fun i intended to suggest to you:pBut no prob, you are so full of principle(s);)