INDONESIA are on home turf and it will be a tall order for Malaysia to beat them in a Thomas Cup quarter-final tie at the Senayan Indoor Stadium in Jakarta tonight. But with fighting chances to win points in the three singles and one doubles matches, Malaysia have enough motivation to go all out to end Indonesia's 10-year reign as the champions. Malaysia, who have beaten Indonesia only four times in the world men's team championships, start as the underdogs again in their 15th meeting. For Indonesia, it will be a major blow if they muff it against Malaysia – especially after having suffered the humiliation of a 0-5 drubbing by China in a Group A tie on Monday. But Malaysia's singles chief coach Misbun Sidek believes that his team can upset the form books. Malaysia silenced the Chinese crowd home with a stunning 3-1 win over their team in the semi-finals in Guangzhou two years ago. And they will be out to do it again – this time to the Indonesians. “Indonesia are the favourites but we have a chance to win the tie. The matches will go down the wire. It will be 2-3 either way or we could lose 1-3,” said Misbun. “Their top singles player, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, can be beaten. All our hopes are on (Wong) Choong Hann to get the ball rolling for Malaysia. “I am aware that Indonesia are now more dangerous after the defeat by China. But we will challenge them point for point.” Malaysia are likely to field Mohd Roslin Hashim at second singles even though he has a poor record against flamboyant Indonesian Taufik Hidayat. Except for a win in the invitational Ipoh Masters, Roslin has lost on all other occasions to Taufik. Debutant Lee Chong Wei or Mohd Hafiz Hashim will be up against Simon Santoso at third singles. And if the tie gets to this deciding match, Malaysia stand a good chance to win it. Misbun said that the Indonesian crowd was the least of his players' bothers. “My only concern is the form of the players on the day. If they play true to their ability, they have a shot to win their matches. Our players are in high spirits ... they have nothing to lose,” he said. In the doubles, Malaysia will field Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and the scratch combinations of Chew Choon Eng-Koo Kien Keat. “Indonesia will likely field the youngsters (Luluk Hadiyanto-Alven Yulianto) in the first doubles,” said doubles chief coach Yap Kim Hock. “They have a better record than Tan Fook-Wan Wah. I think Flandi Limpele-Eng Hian will play the second doubles instead of Candra Wijaya-Tri Kusharyanto. “They will want a sure point at second doubles. But I can assure the Malaysian fans that our doubles will fight all the way.” Indonesia are hosting the Finals for the sixth time and they have only lost twice on home ground – in the final against Malaysia in 1967 and against China in 1986. Malaysia last beat the Indonesians in the 1992 final in Kuala Lumpur. Indonesia regained the Cup in 1994, beating Malaysia in the final in Jakarta. Since then, they have beaten Malaysia on four other occasions TheStar
Tight! M'sia is suspect in 2nd doubles, though Chew and Koo as an attacking pair are pretty good against Thai pair. Indon would do well to field Chandra/Trikus instead of Limpele/Eng Hian. Chandra/Trikus has better attack and needs to pin down M'sians. Indon is suspect in 3rd singles. All other three points are free for all. First singles the most crucial game of all. Losing team will have added pressure. If score is 1-1 after two matches, Indon would have slight advantage (provided Taufik doesn't get to another parking infringement). If score is 2-0 either way, than the team on the receiving end might as well give up. If 2-2 after 4 matches, M'sia has advantage. In my opinion, this tie should only happen from semifinal onwards. What a waste of eliminating a good team early on.
ROFLMAO....I kinda hope Taufik will loose again this time. He hasn't been performing and he's a spoilt brat. Indonesia should get over him and push new players.