Axiata Cup 2013

Really a big letdown..
Glad that one of our bc member is mentioned in this article
[h=1]Badminton: Daren and Jing Yi a big letdown in draw against Thailand at US$1mil Axiata Cup[/h] [h=2]By KNG ZHENG GUAN[/h]


Saviours: Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong in action against Thailand Boonsak Ponsana and Songphon Anugritayawon at the Axiata Cup in Surabaya. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star" height="341" width="400"> Saviours: Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong in action against Thailand Boonsak Ponsana and Songphon Anugritayawon at the Axiata Cup in Surabaya. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
SURABAYA: Malaysia’s weakness in mixed team events was painfully exposed as they could only draw 2-2 with Thailand in the US$1mil Axiata Cup here yesterday.
And it was the singles – both the men’s and women’s – that let Malaysia down.
World No. 51 Tee Jing Yi was handed a tough task in the first match, taking on All England runner-up Ratchanok Inthanon.
To her credit though, Jing Yi gave it a good fight before going down 17-21, 20-22 to the Thai teenager.
Liew Daren, however, was a big disappointment in the men’s singles as he had trouble finding his feet against Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk.
The KL shuttler never looked comfortable against the lanky Thai and committed far too many errors in a meek 15-21, 17-21 defeat.
That put mixed pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying under intense pressure to deliver against world No. 6 Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam.
The Malaysians had lost to the Thai pair in their last three meetings.
But this time Peng Soon-Liu Ying delivered an excellent performance to win 20-22, 21-14, 21-14 before men’s pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong rescued the tie by beating Boonsak Ponsana-Songphonm Anugritayawon 21-13, 21-14.
National singles head coach Rashid Sidek prefers to look at the draw as a positive result.
“We knew Thailand were strong, and without (Lee) Chong Wei, a draw is quite a good result,” said Rashid.
“The downside was that Daren was too defensive against Tanongsak, who was excellent at the net.
“But there were some positives from the match, such as Jing Yi’s performance and the team’s fighting spirit.”
Malaysia, however, will definitely need to step it up a notch if they aim to gain anything when they take on hosts and defending champions Indonesia today.
The Indonesians were on fire as they whipped high-flying Singapore 4-0 in an earlier match.
“They are the hosts and definitely have the advantage. They also have more options in their line-up ... but I believe we can get something from that match,” said Rashid.
Earlier, Indonesia team manager Bambang Roedyanto warned Malaysia that they’ll be looking for a win.
“Malaysia will be a strong challenge but we are more than ready to face them. We want to win,” he said.
In other matches, Asia All Star bounced back from an opening day loss to the Thais by beating the Philippines 4-0.
The Europe All Stars also regained their winning ways – beating Vietnam 3-1.

http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2013/3/23/sports/12879881&sec=sports

 

some shameless team talking about high spirit toward axiata
end up
losing

 

Marc Shelly Alcala won haha!

 

The only time I see Liew Daren motivated, running with all his might in a great effort to win was the French Open.

 

Chong Wei Feng got thrashed too

 

Both Tanongsak and Tommy have improved considerably lately. As I've expected they beat their respective MAS opponents, Darren and CWF.

 

Daren and Wei Feng downed, who will be next? Arif?

 

Already expected that. I just didn't want to see Daren play. Anyway, Carolina Marin was impressive, whilst Yippy was impatient, rushing for the kill often but made too many mistake.

MAS vs EUR All Stars tomorrow - which MAS MS will be on the court I wonder? Thank god F1 race is tomorrow...

 

The commentary for Robertson/ Wallwork v Zheng Bo/ Ponappa was dreadful.

The posh English bloke couldn't even name another GB mixed pair, but did mention 'the Scottish girl is good'. Erm, her name is Imogen Bankier

Then he said White was playing with Ellis, sheesh. How did he get this job?


Only Gillian Clarke should be allowed to commentate on badminton.

 

I saw that. Who the heck is he?

 

In English....

 

It was really nice to see a real top player like LHI back in action. Unfortunately, BCL only played doubles, probably remains not fit enough to play singles.

 

I believe when he committed to the team, he was to play doubles alone. The question of playing singles was never in the conversation.

 

He's also it should be pointed out, only 14...

 

Ratchanok Inthanon seems to be on form even though she was playing in Swiss Open while the Indonesian players who are playing in both AE and Swiss open are still suffering jetlag.

Should learn from her how to overcome the jetlag.

 

Day-4 schedule => http://axiatacup.com/results/preliminary-round-201/prelim-day4-2013/

1st session ~ 13.00 & 14.00 local time
INA v Asia
THA v VIE

2nd session ~ 18.30 local time
MAS v Europe
PHI v SIN

For INA viewers, free-to-air TV station tvOne will broadcast LIVE on 01.00pm, INA v Asia.

 

Good to see Simon Santoso back in action. And Lee HI too , as good as ever.

 

I kinda like the red surface of the field more eye catching than usually boring green one, more variety like in tennis

Maybe in future there will be more color to this

Simon lost 19-21 to LHI

 

Much more variety from SS now...entertaining match