Badminton powerhouse Indonesia can win all five individual titles at stake in the badminton competition starting on Wednesday. But they have lost the one gold that they would gladly trade with all five individual titles – the men’s inter-team.

Host Malaysia came back from 0-2 down to upset the favourites 3-2 in a pulsating men’s inter-team badminton final that lasted four and a half hours at the Malawati Stadium.

Not since the 1991 SEA Games in Manila, has Indonesia failed to win the men’s inter-team title. The fact that Indonesia won the women’s inter-team title with a 3-1 win over Thailand earlier in the day would be scant consolation.

For a badminton crazy nation, the loss of the men’s inter-team title to their perennial rivals can be considered as national disaster. The badminton rivalry between the two nations is a vital cog that keeps badminton ever popular in the region.

Indonesian chief coach Christian Hadinata admitted that winning any other gold medals would not make up for the loss of the men’s inter-team title.

The final yesterday was expected to be close although Indonesia did not bring their talented Taufik Hidayat while Malaysia had their best doubles player, Choong Tan Fook, on the injured list.

Malaysia’s strategy for the final was simple, win all three singles and wrap up the tie. As for the Indonesians, they were banking on taking both doubles and any one of the singles.

World champion Hendrawan went up against Roslin Hashim in the first singles. He lost the first game 2-15 and it seemed that the Malaysian script was going to go according to plan.

But Hendrawan, shrugged off his customary slow start and used all his guile and experience to neutralise Roslin’s game. It was not easy going but Hendrawan had the mental tenacity to hang on and take the match 2-15, 15-13, 15-10 to put Indonesia in the driving seat.

“We knew we were in trouble when Roslin lost. There was no way we were going to win the first doubles with Tan Fook still carrying an ankle injury,” said Malaysian coach Indra Gunawan.

Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah were up against a resurgent former world champions Chandra Wijaya-Sigit Budiarto. It was inevitable that the Malaysian pair conceded the match trailing 5-13 in the first game.

“We were under a lot of pressure being 0-2 down. But the players were told not to give up. The tie was still along way away and we were still with a chance at that juncture,” said Indra.

Malaysianchampion Ong Ewe Hock was up against Marleve Mainaky in the crucial second singles. The veteran Malaysian stalwart did not disappoint as he beat Marleve, the reigning Indonesianchampion, 15-12, 15-10.

Ewe Hock’s win was a much-needed lifeline for the Malaysians but they were still trailing 1-2 and the pressure had not eased.

It was up to youngsters Chew Choon Eng-Chan Chong Ming in the second doubles to pull Malaysia level and take prolong the fight to the deciding singles. Choon Eng-Chong Ming were up against the scratch pair of Tony Gunawan-Bambang Suprianto.

Tony-Bambang may have not played as a pair before but both were experienced and capable of taking on the best.

It was a ding-dong battle between the two pairs, with Choon Eng making way too many mistakes. But the jittery Malaysian pair bucked up at the crucial moments to carve out a 15-7, 10-15, 15-10 win over the rivals.

“Winning the second doubles was the turning point for Malaysia. We should have won the second doubles but failed to make use of the opportunities,” lamented Christian.

The deciding singles was over well before it began. Rony Augustinus, who gave a sparkling display at the Malaysianat the same stadium earlier this year, was petrified with the task ahead.

He hardly got his game going, giving away easy points from unforced errors. Wong Choong Hann never really had to push himself. Even the Indonesian fans sensed that Rony was never really going to trouble Choong Hann and started leaving the stadium midway into the first game.

Choong Hann eased to an easy 15-1, 15-5 win that gave Malaysia one their rare SEA Games men’s team title.

“Rony has never played in team events and was never called upon such situations. There was nothing he could do. We lost the tie when we lost the second doubles,” said Christian.

Christian added that his immediate task would be to get the players back on the feet for the individual competition.

“We lost this time but there is always another tournament and another chance,” said Christian.

While Indonesia was left lamenting the defeat, Malaysians are in bouyant mood.

“It is the players believe in themselves and the home support that helped lift the boys today,” said Indra.

FINAL RESULTS
MEN
Malaysia beat Indonesia 3-2 (Roslin Hashim lost to Hendrawan 15-2, 13-15, 10-15; Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah lost to Chandra Wijaya-Sigit Budiarto 5-13 rtd; Ong Ewe Hock beat Marleve Mainaky 15-12, 15-9; Chew Choon Eng-Chan Chong Ming beat Tony Gunawan-Bambang Suprianto 15-7, 10-15, 15-10; Wong Choong Hann beat Rony Augustinus 15-1, 15-5)

WOMEN
Indonesia beat Thailand 3-1 (Lydia Djaelawidjaya beat Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn 11-7, 11-2; Deyana Lomban-Vita Marissa beat Saralee Thoungthongkam-Satinee Jankajangwong 15-10, 15-6; Yuli Marfuah lost to Salakjit Polsana 11-6, 2-11, 8-11; Emma Ermawati-Eny Erlangga beat Duanganong Aroonkesorn-Kunchala Voraviechitchaikul 15-7, 15-8)

report by S T Arasu