Champions Indonesia take on Malaysia in men's team final
Expect a thriller in the men's team badminton final on Thursday when defending champions Indonesia take on Malaysia at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
The two badminton giants made made the gold medal match after Indonesia blanked Thailand 3-1 while Malaysia eased past Singapore although the Malaysians had to go through three games in all their matches.
Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin got Malaysia's first point against Ryan Ng Zin Rei winning his 52-minute battle 21-19, 17-21, 21-10. Malaysia's number two doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi came through a 21-10, 20-22, 21-15 win over Terry Hee Yong Kai-Loh Kean Hean for the second point.
It was left for Soon Joo Ven to clinch the decider and the Malaysian had to come back from a game down to beat Singapore's Penang-born Loh Kean Yew 9-21, 21-17, 21-18 win in 63 minutes.
Thailand did put up a fight against the Indonesians and even tied the score at 1-1 when Bodin Isara-Nipitphon Phuangphuapet overcame Alfian Fajar-Ardianto Mohammad Rian 13-21, 21-15, 21-16 in the first men's doubles.
But that was as far as Thailand could go after Christie Jonatan who won the first singles against Khosit Phetpradab 21-6, 21-18 to give the champions the lead. When Mustafa Ihsan Maulana won the second singles to put Indonesia 2-1 up with a 21-15, 21-14 win over Suppanyu Avihingsanon it was plain sailing for the champions.
Indonesia clinched the winning point through the second doubles when Angriawan Berry-Hardianto Hardianto beat Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavarananukroh 27-25, 21-9.
For the record Indonesia beat Thailand 3-2 in the 2015 Sea Games final to win the gold medal.
RESULTS
Semi-Finals
Malaysia beat Singapore 3-0
(Malaysia first)
MS1: Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin beat RyanNg Zin Rei 21-19, 17-21, 21-10
MD1: Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi beat Terry Hee Yong Kai-Loh Kean Hean 21-10, 20-22, 21-15
MS2: Soong Joo Ven beat Loh Kean Yew 9-21, 21-17, 21-18
Other Results
Indonesia beat Thailand 3-1
(Indonesia first)
MS1: Christie Jonatan beat Khosit Phetpradab 21-6, 21-18
MD1: Alfian Fajar-Ardianto Muhammad Rian lost to Bodin Isara-Nipitphon PHuangphuapet 21-13, 15-21, 16-21
MS2: Mustofa Ihsan Maulana beat Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-15, 21-14
MD2: Angriawan Berry-Hardianto Hardianto beat Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh 27-25, 21-9
Related Article
World and Olympic Champions Competing at the BAMTC 2023
Job Vacancy: Chief Operating Officer
