Thursday, August 30, 2012

Salam Kemerdekaan Ke-55


Thursday, August 16, 2012

Salam Aidilfitri


Saturday, August 11, 2012

London 2012: Waves of National Support at Olympic Badminton

Olympic badminton brought a veritable ‘flag party’ to Wembley Arena!
Shouting and cheering for various players, fans of the ‘shuttle showpiece’ enjoyed thrilling action for nine days of competition, watching some of the sport’s best exponents try to secure gold, silver or bronze for their respective countries.
Spectators from many of the record 51 nations represented in badminton at the London 2012 Olympics came armed with their flags, celebrating every point and victory won in their country’s name.
It was a colorful spectacle to see countless national emblems fluttering among the sold-out audiences attending each session. It was surely an inspirational sight for the battling shuttlers, knowing they had hometown support on hand.
 
Great Danes: Denmark's fans would have been proud to witness their players take home two medals in Olympic badminton.
 
Sania's Success: Indians turned out in large numbers to watch Sania Nehwal capture bronze in the Women's Singles category.
 
Italian Inspiration: Agnese Allegrini had her personal cheering section during the Group Stage.
 
Swiss Show: Supporters from Switzerland enjoy the matches next to a British fan.
 
French Force: These fans were in full cry for Brice Leverdez.
 
Finnish him! This is what this flag-waving lady would have loved when her compatriot, Ville Lang, took a game off Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei.
 
Chinese Champions: Sweeping all five badminton categories gave China a lot to wave about.
 
Malaysian Moment: No doubt who these spectators want to win.
 
Cordon's Corner: Guatemala's Kevin Cordon had his well wishers when he progressed to the round of 16.
 
Knockout Punch: The Australians were hoping their shuttlers could land some big blows.
 
Host's Hopes: British fans were wishing for a strong showing on home soil.
 
Spanish Spectacle: Pablo Abian had his country behind him.
 
Canadians Can: Michelle Li and Alex Bruce of Canada gave friends and family something to cheer about in Women's Doubles.

Rashid and Seu Bock back Chong Wei’s bid to carry on playing

National coaches Rashid Sidek and Tey Seu Bock have backed Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei’s bid to carry on playing for two more years although it is time for a break while the search for his successor begins.
Chong Wei arrived at the KLIA on Tuesday after falling short in his attempt to win Malaysia’s first gold medal, losing to arch-rival Lin Dan in a closely-contested final.
It was his second successive silver medal after his 2008 achievement in Beijing.
It sparkles: Lee Chong Wei showing his silver medal after returning to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star 
It sparkles: Lee Chong Wei showing his silver medal after returning to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star
And the 30-year-old has quashed rumours that he will retire next year, stating that he will carry on for another two years – until the 2014 Asian and Commonwealth Games, and if possible, the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janerio.
Seu Bock believes that Chong Wei can still play for four more years, “although it will depend on his physical condition”.
“If he wants to play until 2016, and if his condition is still fine, I will definitely support his decision,” said Seu Bock.
“But we’ll have to take things slowly now because he’s not that young anymore and his recovery period is longer. Chong Wei is an aggressive player and that will take a toll on his body.
“Right now, however, it’s time for a break – one week to be exact – before he returns to training.
He will then leave to compete in the China Badminton League at the end of this month before the Japan Open in September (18-23).” Rashid also believes that Chong Wei has the ability to play on until the 2016 Games.
But he said it would be more beneficial to whip the back-up shuttlers into shape to qualify for the Olympics in four years’ time.
There are five shuttlers under the BA of Malaysia’s (BAM) Project 2016 squad – Misbun Ramdan Misbun, Loh Wei Sheng, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin and KLRC’s Zulfadli Zulkifli.
“I feel that Chong Wei can still carry on and qualify for the 2016 Games but, given his age, it will not be a guaranteed medal,” said Rashid.
“He has his own high standards and only Chong Wei will know whether he will be able to make the grade in four years’ time.”
For now, Rashid and the other coaches will have to push the back-up shuttlers harder to make the grade.
“We have already started sending the younger shuttlers to more tournaments – approximantely 10-12 competitions a year,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter whether if they are from Ramdan’s batch or the older ones like Arif and (Chong) Wei Feng because they have to step up and make a difference. Even the younger ones from BJSS will be given a chance.
“The immediate goal now is to make sure these players improve their rankings because it will give them belief and confidence to strive for further improvements.”
Courtesy of The Star

Sunday, August 5, 2012

It's Lin Dan...Again!!!


Final Men Single Badminton of 2012 London Olympic yet  belong to China's sensational Lin Dan, beating his tradion enemy of Malaysia, Lee Chong Wei in three hot and interesting set in 79 minutes. Lin Dan won 51-21, 21-10, 21-19.

 It was crash 27 million over Malaysian to taste the first ever Olympic gold medal. The other China man single, Cheng Long complete the Republic People of China by beating Lee Hyun Il of South Korean in earlier match.

Final pasti menggiurkan

Lee Chong Wei
                                                          Lee Chong Wei
AKSI menggiur dan mendebarkan pasti menjadi hidangan final perseorangan lelaki ketika jutaan rakyat Malaysia menaruh harapan agar Lee Chong Wei akhirnya mengatasi kemarau pingat emas yang dinanti-nantikan itu.
Menanti di antara Chong Wei dan kilauan emas itu adalah musuh ketatnya, Lin Dan dari China yang sedia untuk melebarkan dominasinya ke atas pemain negara itu dalam perlawanan yang akan berlangsung pada jam 8 malam ini waktu Malaysia.

Pertemuan itu dilihat sebagai peluang terbaik buat Chong Wei untuk memperbetulkan keadaan selepas tumpas kepada Lin Dan di Beijing empat tahun lalu.
Lebih menarik, Chong Wei juga akan berdepan dengan peluang untuk membalas kembali kekecewaan tumpas kepada Lin Dan di final Kejohanan Dunia tahun lalu di gelanggang sama, Wembley Arena.

“Sekarang saya membawa harapan seluruh rakyat Malaysia untuk menghadiahkan pingat. Perak sudah pasti tapi saya mahukan warna yang lebih bagus. Saya berjanji kali ini saya akan menang emas. Itu motivasi saya,” kata Chong Wei sambil mengakui pertemuan dengan Lin Dan acap kali berakhir dengan sengit.

Bagaimanapun, pemain nombor dua dunia itu mengakui yang ketika tewas kepada Lin Dan di China, dia beraksi di gelanggang dan dalam suasana yang memang dibentuk supaya sentiasa memihak kepada pencabarnya itu.

“Tapi, sekarang saya sudah bersedia. Walaupun tidak yakin mara ke final kerana kecederaan dua bulan lalu, tapi peluang ini akan saya gunakan untuk sepenuhnya. Saya harap seluruh rakyat Malaysia akan mendoakan untuk saya,” katanya yang akan menjadikan Olimpik London ini sebagai penyertaan terakhirnya.

Jika Chong Wei membawa pulang emas yang dinanti-nantikan itu, dia akan menerima pelbagai ganjaran, termasuk RM2 juta, masing-masing RM1 juta dalam bentuk insentif kerajaan dan daripada syarikat perabut, 3V Holdings Berhad.
Dia juga bakal menerima jongkong emas seberat 12.5kg yang berharga RM2 juta selain pencen bulanan bernilai RM5,000.

Apapun, sebelum memikirkan soal ganjaran dan anugerah, Chong Wei harus terlebih dulu menewaskan Lin Dan yang rekod mereka kini berada di kedudukan 24-10, memihak kepada pemain China itu.

Detik penentuan kilauan emas


Chong Wei hanya perlu menapak selangkah lagi bagi meraih pingat emas Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London.


MALAM ini akan menjadi detik penentuan buat kontinjen Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London.
Adakah pingat emas pertama Sukan Olimpik yang diimpikan itu akan hadir atau hanya terus berpuas hati dengan perak?
Pingat perak sudah pasti berada dalam genggaman ekoran kejayaan pemain badminton perseorangan negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei melangkah ke perlawanan akhir untuk menentang musuh tradisinya dari China, Lin Dan di Arena Wembley malam ini.
Satu lagi pingat yang mungkin hadir ialah menerusi beregu lelaki, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong yang akan beraksi dalam perlawanan penentuan gangsa menentang beregu Korea Selatan, Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae hari ini.
Semalam, gandingan Kien Keat-Boon Heong tewas di peringkat separuh akhir kepada jaguh China, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng 21-9, 21-19.
Namun, malam ini Chong Wei akan menjawab segala persoalan itu sama ada dia bakal menghadiahkan kejayaan besar buat rakyat Malaysia atau sebaliknya.
Atas kertas, misi Chong Wei memang dilihat sukar kerana lawannya pada final bukannya calang-calang pemain.
Dalam beberapa pertemuan sebelum ini, Lin Dan sering menjadi halangan terhadap impian Chong Wei, namun kali ini, situasi mungkin berubah selepas melihat aksi luar biasa yang dipamerkan oleh jaguh negara itu sepanjang temasya Olimpik 2012 berlangsung.
Chong Wei dilihat sudah betul-betul bersedia untuk merealisasikan harapan seluruh rakyat Malaysia.
Rentak permainannya terus meningkat daripada satu perlawanan ke satu perlawanan dan jika dia terus mengekalkan rentak cemerlang itu, tidak mustahil untuknya membenam cabaran Lin Dan.
"Saya tidak mahu fikirkan gaya permainan Lin Dan. Saya hanya mahu fokus dengan diri sendiri. Memang kita tahu corak permainan Lin Dan sukar dibaca dan sebab itu saya perlu memberi fokus 100 peratus terhadap diri sendiri.
"Final merupakan perlawanan terakhir dan saya akan lakukan yang terbaik dan tidak perlu untuk simpan tenaga dan kalau boleh mengelak daripada melakukan kesilapan mudah," kata Chong Wei.
Ditanya mengenai strategi permainannya menentang Lin Dan malam ini, Chong Wei menjelaskan bahawa ia akan dibincangkan dengan jurulatih sebelum perlawanan itu bermula.
Katanya, mata awal sangat penting kerana ia akan membantu untuk menjejaskan rentak lawan.
"Bagi saya, apa yang lebih penting ialah untuk mencuri mata awal kerana secara psikologi ia akan menjejaskan fokus lawan.
"Kita tahu Lin Dan mempunyai corak permainan menyerang yang pantas, jadi saya perlu bijak menukar tempo" katanya.
Laluan Chong Wei ke final diperoleh menerusi kemenangan ke atas pemain India, Kashyap Parupalli di suku akhir 21-19, 21-11, diikuti kemenangan ke atas Chen Long dari China 21-13, 21-14 pada pusingan separuh akhir malam kelmarin.

Rashid: Peluang Chong Wei, Lin Dan seimbang

"ATAS kertas, Lin Dan memang boleh dikatakan sebagai pemain pilihan pada Sukan Olimpik 2012 London tetapi ia belum pasti memberi jaminan kepadanya untuk meraih kemenangan."
Itu pandangan ketua jurulatih perseorangan badminton negara, Rashid Sidek semalam menjelang perlawanan akhir acara perseorangan lelaki antara Datuk Lee Chong Wei dan Lin Dan dari China malam ini.
Menurut Rashid, gaya permainan Lin Dan memang sukar dibaca terutama ketika menentang Chong Wei.
"Kita boleh tengok gaya permainannya sejak temasya Olimpik ini bermula. Rentaknya berlainan tetapi bila berdepan dengan Chong Wei gaya permainannya pasti berubah.
"Dia akan menampilkan gaya permainan yang berbeza. Sebab itu saya ingatkan Chong Wei agar tidak terlalu mengikut rentak Lin Dan.
"Chong Wei harus bekerja lebih keras dan fokus dengan diri sendiri," kata Rashid.
Menurutnya, peluang kedua-dua pemain adalah seimbang dan dia yakin Chong Wei akan cuba untuk menyekat kemaraan lawannya itu.
"Setakat ini, Chong Wei nampak selesa dengan rentak permainannya dan tahap kecergasannya juga tidak meragukan.
"Dia sudah mula mendapat match fitness selepas lebih dua bulan setengah tidak beraksi dalam mana-mana kejohanan berprestasi tinggi ekoran kecederaan yang dialaminya semasa menggalas cabaran negara pada saingan Piala Thomas Mei lalu.
"Dalam tempoh tersebut, Chong Wei gigih menjalani rawatan pemulihan dan setakat ini dia nampak lebih yakin.
"Bukan mudah untuk mengembalikan form selepas berehat lama, tetapi pada Olimpik ini, dia (Chong Wei) nampak sudah bersedia sepenuhnya," jelas Rashid lagi.

China sekat kemaraan Koo-Tan



KIEN KEAT (kiri) dan Boon Heong akan beraksi pada aksi penentuan pingat gangsa hari ini selepas kecundang dalam saingan suku akhir di Arena Wembley semalam.



BEREGU negara, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong tidak mempunyai pilihan kecuali menang ke atas beregu Korea Selatan, Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae dalam perebutan pingat gangsa acara beregu lelaki Sukan Olimpik 2012 London hari ini.
Semalam, Kien Keat-Boon Heong tewas tewas 9-21, 19-21 kepada pasangan China, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng pada aksi separuh akhir yang berlangsung di Arena Wembley.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong yang turun berbekalkan keyakinan tinggi untuk mengulangi gaya ketika mereka menewaskan pasangan Thailand, Isara Bodin-Jongjit Maneepong di suku akhir dua hari lalu, bagaimanapun terperangkap dengan permainan pantas Cai Yun-Haifeng sehinggakan satu ketika ketinggalan 4-11.
Cai Yun-Haifeng terus mempamerkan keyakinan untuk menutup set pertama dengan kemenangan 21-9 selepas Kien Keat-Boon Heong kerap melakukan kesilapan yang memberikan lawan mereka mata mudah.
Begitupun, beregu negara itu cuba melawan pada set kedua dengan hantaran lebih kemas serta permainan jaring dengan saling bertukar mata.
Namun ketika kedua-duanya seperti tidak bermaya pada kedudukan 13-16, China pula melakukan banyak kesilapan ketika kedudukan terikat 19-16 dan memberi ruang kepada beregu negara untuk merapatkan jurang kepada 19-20 sebelum China mengesahkan kemenangan 21-19.
"Ketika mahu memasuki gelanggang, kami cuma berfikir macam mana nak main. Namun, set pertama kami tidak mampu berbuat apa-apa kerana pertahanan mereka bagus dan dapat mematahkan setiap serangan kami.
"Kami cuba bangkit pada set kedua, namun ketika permainan terikat 13-16, mereka (Cai Yun-Haifeng) banyak melakukan kesilapan.
"Kami cuba memperbaiki permainan dan berjaya merapatkan jurang mata, namun tidak bernasib baik," katanya.
Sementara itu, jurulatih beregu negara, Tan Kim Her berkata, beliau tidak menyangka China mengubah taktik permainan daripada biasa pada saat-saat akhir sehingga mudah memerangkap pergerakan Kien Keat-Boon Heong.
"Kami ada menonton rakaman video untuk melihat permainan mereka tetapi kami tidak menyangka mereka (China) mengubah gaya permainan dengan hantaran laju ke depan dan belakang.
"Itu menyebabkan pemain kita keliru. Masa itu saya arahkan beregu kita ubah permainan terbuka dengan mengawal lebih banyak bola di kiri dan kanan gelanggang.
"Saya harap Koo-Tan dapat melakukan yang terbaik esok (hari ini) dalam perebutan pingat gangsa)," katanya

Friday, August 3, 2012

Terkini London 2012

Ulangan final perseorangan lelaki badminton akan kembali seperti di Final 2008, menyaksikan Datuk Lee Chong Wei akan bertemu seteru utamanya Lin Dan yang mana masing-masing melepasi pusingan separuh akhir sebentar tadi.Chong Wei yang juga pulihan utama menundukkan seorang lagi wakil China yang juga pilihan ketiga, Cheng Long 21-13, 21-14. Manakala Lin Dan pula menundukkan Lee Hyun Il dari Korea Selatan 21-12, 21-10.
Dalam Perseorangan Wanita pula, kedua-dua wakil China bakal bertemu bagi penentuan pingat emas di antara Wang Yihan dan Li Xuerui.
Sementara harapan pingat Malaysia bagi acara beregu lelaki bakal disandarkan kepada pasangan Koo Ken Kiat-Tan Boon Heong yang akan bertemu pasangan dari China Cai Yu-Fu Hai Feng pada pusingan separuh akhir yang akan dilangsungkan esok. Satu lagi perlawanan separuh akhir adalah di antara pasangan Korea Selatan dan Denmark iaitu Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen dan Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae

London 2012: Day 4 - Session 12: Lee Yong Dae Looking to ‘Double Up’ at Olympics

A teenaged gold medallist at the last Olympics, Korean superstar – Lee Yong Dae – is on another medal quest at London 2012.
The doubles specialist, partnered by Chung Jae Sung (both pictured right) in Men’s Doubles, advanced to the quarter-finals in impressive fashion over the Malaysian pair of Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong, 21-16 21-11.

While the score suggests a comfortable win, the Wembley Arena match was a high-octane battle between two teams familiar with each other’s styles.

All four men showed off their attacking and defensive prowess, with Chung the only one getting real penetration on smashes from the mid-court or in front his partner, not usually his positions of greatest authority. The Malaysians dominated the first half of game one – Tan literally in smashing form – but the Koreans overtook them to grab a one-game lead.

Despite a spirited effort from the Malaysians in the second game, the Koreans held firm – including withstanding an amazing rally in which all four players smashed ferociously and repeatedly – to win in straight games. The Koreans persisted with all-out attack and this was the crucial difference as the disheartened Koo and Tan began missing their targets and hitting long on many occasions.

By contrast, 23-year-old Lee – Mixed Doubles champion with Lee Hyojung in Beijing –oozed confidence. In flamboyant style, the popular player signed off by executing a brilliant cross-court smash return, more unexpected than unreachable, to seal match point.

Meanwhile, Denmark’s Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Ryter-Juhl lost 22-24 16-21 in Mixed Doubles to Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia. Despite this setback, all Danes across the five categories are assured of progressing from the Group Stage of competition. Jan O Jorgensen (pictured bottom), seeded No. 12, was the last of his countrymen to join the party when he ousted Singapore's Derek Wong 21-17 21-12 in the Men's Singles. Another seed, Hong Kong's Wong Wing Ki, triumphed over France's Brice Leverdez.

On the women's side, Adrianti Firdirsari (pictured left) of Indonesia caused an upset, sending home Bulgaria's world No.15 seed Petya Nedelcheva, 21-10 21-15.
Follow us on Twitter to get live updates and flash quotes of players at London 2012!

N.B. On Wednesday 1 August, 2012, four pairs were disqualified following Women’s Doubles matches that took place during the night session on Tuesday 31 July, 2012. They are: Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang (China); Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari (Indonesia); Jung Kyung Eun and Kim Ha Na (South Korea); and Ha Jung Eun and Kim Min Jung (South Korea). Read the statement here.

London Olympics: Chong Wei tames Kashyap to make semis

Lee Chong Wei booked a place in the semis of the London Olympics when he defeated India's Kashyap Parpulli 21-19, 21-11 at the Wembley Arena.
And he declared that he was ready for Chen Long in the semi finals which will take place at 1330H London time ( 8.30pm Malaysian time).
"I must give credit to Kashyap as he stretched me in the first set. He has improved much from the last I played him at the Danish Open," said a rather relaxed looking Chong Wei after the match.
"It was good that I have a tough match before playing Chen Long as this suits my preparations. Although he was leading for a larger part of the first set, I never had a doubt that I will win the set. It was a question of nerves and mine held better.
"As for the semis, that has been the focus and my coaches and video analysts have been preparing me for that. He is surely a tough opponent and I would rate our chances as equal.
"I am mentally and physically prepared for the battle tomorrow and am optimistic that I can overcome him, playing the right tactics."
Chong Wei struggled early in the first set as he trailed 4-9 at one stage. He managed to reduce the deficit to 8-10 but was faulted by the chair umpire to give Kashyap a 11-8 lead at the break.
Though Chong wei managed to be within a point of his opponent at 11-12, he seemed apprehensive using his smashes, opting to rally, which suited his younger opponent better.
It was point for point as Kashyap extended his laed to 14-12 but Chong Wei managed to draw level at 14-14.
It was point for point after that with Kashyap drawing Chong Wei to the net and winning the duels but making mistakes sending the shuttle out as they were tied 17-17.
Kashyap took a 19-18 lead as Chong Wei sent the shuttle out at the baseline. But a deep drop once agains got him level.
And for only since the first point of the match did Chong Wei take the lead at 20-19 when his drop caught Kashyap. He went on to clinch the first set 21-19.
Chong Wei upped the tempo as he took an early 4-2 lead before extending it to 9-4 with Kashyap searching for answers.
And with Kashyap struggling to keep pace, Chong Wei displayed superior court craft as he took six consecutive points to lead 19-8. It was sheer joy as he won 21-11.
"Chong Wei played into the opponents style of play in the first game and hence struggled," said coach Tey Seu Bock.
"It will be tough against Chen Long but in order to win medals Chong Wei has to overcome such opponents. I am happy with his overall outlook of the game and he is in the right frame of mind."

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Koreans' appeal rejected; Indonesia's withdrawn

The two Korean pairs – who were among four Women’s Doubles pairs disqualified from the London Olympics badminton tournament today – have had their appeals rejected by the Chair of the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) Appeals Committee.

The Chair’s rejection was made in accordance with Section 3 of the BWF’s Disciplinary Regulations, Clause 3.1, which states the Chair can reject an appeal case if “the case is considered to be concluded with any fine or sanction already imposed”.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian pair, who also initially appealed the decision of BWF’s Disciplinary Committee to disqualify them, withdrew their appeal before it was considered by the Chair of the Appeals Committee. The fourth pair, from China, did not appeal their disqualification.
All four pairs – Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang (China); Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari (Indonesia); Jung Kyung Eun and Kim Ha Na (South Korea); and Ha Jung Eun and Kim Min Jung (South Korea) – were charged under BWF’s Players’ Code of Conduct – Sections 4.5 and 4.16 respectively – with “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” and “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport”.
The charges stemmed from two matches played in the Women’s Doubles Group Stage of the London 2012 Olympics last evening (Tuesday 31 July) at Wembley Arena. All four pairs appeared before the BWF’s Disciplinary Committee at a hearing held at Wembley Plaza Hotel this morning.
As a result of these disqualifications, Women’s Doubles pairs from Australia (Leanne Choo/Renuga Veeran), Canada (Alex Bruce/Michelle Li), Russia (Valeria Sorokina/Nina Vislova) and South Africa (Michelle Edwards/Annari Viljoen) advanced to the Olympic quarter-finals.
Since then, the Russians and Canadians have advanced to the Olympic semi-finals.

London Olympics: Koo/Tan coast into semis

Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong qualified for the semi finals of the London Olympics men's doubles competition by defeating Bodin Isara/Maneepong Jongjit of Thailand 21-16.21-18 at the Wembley Arena this morning.
It will be a first appearance for a Malaysian pair in the doubles semis since Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wah Wah achieved it at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
They will take on China's Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng who booked their spot with an easy 21-15,21-19 win over compatriots Chai Biao/Guo Zhengdong.
Playing with zest and plenty of determination, the Malaysians raised their game and were deserving winners as the Thai's wilted under pressure.
"It was a sleepless night for me as my mind was on the game. One can say i was nervous but once the match got underway I gained in confidence," said Koo.
"Making the semis is good but taking it another step is what we want to do. It is the final that were are aiming for as that will assure us of a medal.
"The key today was we had an explosive start, catching the Thai's at the own game. But we need to cut down on our errors and giving away points cheaply.
It was a runaway start for the Malaysians as they raced to a 9-0 lead with Koo serving. The Thais had no answer to the devastating smashes of Tan while Koo was agile in the front, often catching the opponents off guard with his deft flicks.
They extended their lead to 15-6 but then mistakes started creeping in as Koo/Tan made unforced errors. The Thais crept up to 17-11 as they got their act together.
Though Koo/Tab led 19-12, the Thai's collected four points and were just three off the Malaysians when Maneepong sent his shot into the net, giving Koo/Tan the set point. And they made it at the first time of asking to win the first set 21-16 in 17 minutes.
In the second it was the same scenario as Koo/Tan raced to a 4-2 led before reeling off another four points in a row to lead 8-2. They however started making mistakes once again, giving easy points at the net to allow the Thai's two points.
Koo/Tan got their act together and showed good defensive skills to lead 11-4 at the break, looking confident as they were given pointers by coach Tan Kim Her.
But their game was in tatters as they allowed the Thai's back into the match despite holding a 16-10 lead at one stage to just a two point lead of 18-16.
However they kept their composure to take the set 21-18 in 23 minutes and booked their place in the semis.
"My heart felt like coming out of my body as I was so nervous. It is different then playing in other competitions as this is the Olympics," said Tan.
"Now we are another step nearer to the elusive gold medal and you can be rest assured that we will do our best against the Chinese. We may be the underdogs but that tag suits us just fine."

London Olympics: Badminton the biggest loser after eight expulsions

LONDON (Reuters) - The festering issue of draw rigging in badminton has finally erupted on the biggest sporting stage and while the expulsion of eight players at the Olympics will eventually blow over, it is sure to leave a sizeable scar.
Tournament referee Torsten Berg (3rd R) speaks to players from South Korea (in blue) and Indonesia (in red) during their women's doubles group play stage Group C badminton match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena July 31, 2012. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad
Tournament referee Torsten Berg (3rd R) speaks to players from South Korea (in blue) and Indonesia (in red) during their women's doubles group play stage Group C badminton match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena July 31, 2012. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad
The sight of four women's doubles pairs deliberately throwing their matches to secure a better run to the medal rounds disgusted a crowd of 4,800 packed into Wembley Arena expecting to see the best of badminton's best.
Instead they were treated with disdain as the Chinese, South Korean and Indonesian players sprayed hopeless shots into the net and beyond the lines. Their antics were also beamed around the globe to a disbelieving audience.
Disturbingly, the badminton world had been expecting it.
Players and coaches lamented a culture of manipulation that had been allowed to take hold of the professional tour for years. The only shock, one player said, was the teams had the gall to do it at the Olympics.
"There's always been talk of China working out who wins before, if their teams are playing each other or set to play each other," Germany's singles player Marc Zweiber said.
"Korea did something similar in a Thomas Cup event before," he added, referring to the national team-based event.
"There has been talk the whole season that the Chinese team have fixed matches. I don't feel the BWF (Badminton World Federation) does anything to solve it. I think they need to do more."
The BWF disqualified the four pairs on Wednesday, saying they needed to take a strong stance against conduct "clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport".
The players thrown out were China's top-seeded duo Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli, South Korean pairs Jung Kyung-eun and Kim Ha-na, and Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min-jung, plus Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari of Indonesia.
The federation also said they would review the format of round-robin pool matches for the opening round, instituted for the first time at an Olympics, after it proved ripe for rigging in London.
While an International Olympic Committee spokesman said badminton's place on the Games programme would be safe, the sport will clearly have to do a lot of soul searching and swallow some bitter pills to repair its battered image.
But even as the sanctions were being handed down, coaches and team officials said they would have considered using the same underhand tactics with Olympic medals on the line.
A Danish pair had scored a surprise win over second seeds Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei of China in the women's preliminary round, inadvertently setting off a chain of events that ended with eight players being kicked out of the Games.
"I'm very happy we were the ones that made all the trouble by causing an upset," Denmark's head coach Lars Uhre told Reuters.
"We know China are doing the best they can to give the best possible result for themselves as a nation so it's not a surprise - it's a bad system."
Fabrice Vallet, a coach with the French team, said the players deserved disqualification and needed to be on their best behaviour with the eyes of the world on the sport every four years.
"If we went to be solid in the Olympics we need to show we can play in the Olympic spirit," he said.
"The Olympic spirit is fairness and that's the first thing."
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

London Olympics: Disqualified Chinese player Yu quits badminton

BEIJING (Reuters) - Disgraced Chinese Yu Yang has decided to quit badminton while national officials have told their Olympic team leaders and disgraced players to make a public apology for throwing matches at the London Games.
China's Wang Xiaoli (R) and Yu Yang play against South Korea's Jung Kyung-eun and Kim Ha-na during their women's doubles group play stage Group A badminton match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena July 31, 2012. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad
China's Wang Xiaoli (R) and Yu Yang play against South Korea's Jung Kyung-eun and Kim Ha-na during their women's doubles group play stage Group A badminton match during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena July 31, 2012. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad
Yu was among eight women's doubles players expelled from the Games on Wednesday. The others were team mate Wang Xiaoli, South Korean pairs Jung Kyung-eun and Kim Ha-na, and Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min-jung, plus Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari of Indonesia.
"This is my last competition. Goodbye Badminton World Federation (BWF), goodbye my beloved badminton," Yu wrote on her Tencent micro blog. "We ... only chose to use the rules to abandon the match.
"This was only so as to be able to compete better in the second round of the knockout (stage). This is the first time the Olympics has changed the (event's format). Don't they understand the harm this has caused the athletes?
"You have heartlessly shattered our dreams," said Yu. "It's that simple, not complicated at all. But this is unforgiveable."
Yu and Wang were the top-seeded pair.
The eight players were turfed out of the Olympics by the BWF for throwing matches in a bid to secure more favourable draws later in the tournament.
The sight of four pairs deliberately easing off disgusted a crowd of 4,800 packed into Wembley Arena expecting to see the best of badminton's best.
HOPELESS SHOTS
Instead the fans were treated with disdain as the Chinese, Korean and Indonesian players sprayed hopeless shots into the net and beyond the lines. Their antics were also beamed around the globe to a disbelieving audience.
The Xinhua state news agency said Chinese officials were demanding their disgraced players make a public apology.
"The delegation has already severely criticised and educated the responsible badminton leaders, team and relevant players and demanded they profoundly recognise the seriousness and the harmfulness of this matter, reflect deeply on it, publicly apologise and resolutely prevent such incidents from happening again," Xinhua quoted an unnamed spokesman as saying.
Li Yongbo, chief coach of the Chinese badminton team, said the poor behaviour of his players reflected the shortcomings of the new regulations in the sport.
"I feel that no matter whether it is the rules or something else, that's no excuse," said Li. "The key point is we did not behave professionally as athletes and did not treat each match seriously.
"We didn't strive with all our might in the Olympic way. From that point of view we really didn't grasp this point thoroughly ... as chief coach I really feel I must say sorry to fans and viewers nationwide," Li told Xinhua.
The issue has generated heated debate on Chinese microblogs.
While some people said the players deserved to be thrown out, others expressed sympathy.
"They should certainly be punished but the burden should not fall on those two players. The trainer was the mastermind behind this. The players are only scapegoats," wrote one user on the Twitter-like Sina Weibo.
(Additional reporting by Sally Huang, Chris Buckley and Sui-Lee Wee; editing by Tony Jimenez)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

London Olympics: Getting to pick their opponents

It is a unique situation, brought about by the format introduced by the World Badminton Federation.
For Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong and their opponents tomorrow (Tuesday) Chung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae of Korea are in a position to pick their potential opponents in the quarterfinals of the men's doubles competition of the Olympic Games.
The two pairs have both registered two wins each and are placed in Group D. They will play against the champions and runners-up of Group B.
Matches in Group B have been completed and the 4th seeds, Ko Sung Hyun/Yoo Yeon Seong were sent packing, after defeats at the hands Isara Bodin/Jongjit Maneepong of Thailand and Mohammad Ashan/ Bona Septano of Indonesia.
Thus the Thai pair, having beaten the Indonesians have topped their group and will play the runner-up of Group B, the loser of the Koo/Tan - Chung/Lee match.
"It makes no difference as to who we play as ultimately one has to defeat every opponent if we harbour hopes of winning the gold medal," said Koo.
"We will just go out there without taking this into consideration and I am sure the Koreans too would not want to lose just avoid the Thai pair.
"It is indeed a unique position, but I do not think we should look much into this at the moment as all we want to do is maintain our form and focus."
Indeed it will be unique for both pairs could opt not to play to win, as they might want to play the Thai's instead of the Indonesians.
Let's wait and see what happens, for one of them could even feint injury and retire from the match.

London Olympics: A struggle for Chong Wei

Pressure, lack of confidence and rustiness were attributed by Lee Chong Wei in his hard fought three set win over Ville Lang in the opening match of the men's singles competition of the Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena tonight.
Chong Wei triumped at the end 21-8, 14-21, 21-11, but not before spending 47 minutes on the court after having to spend 80 minutes waiting for the match to get underway.
"I am under pressure and that is not something that I can control. It was a poor performance and I admit that I could not play my normal game at all," conceded Chong Wei.
"Never once did it cross my mind that I will lose this match but it was a good workout for me and I need to iron out certain aspects of my game."
The first set was a brewze for Chong Wei as he reeled off seven consecutive points from a 14-8 lead to finish off his opponent.
But it was in the second that his game went to tatters, from sending his smashes out to being outclassed by the Finnish player at the net.
Lang took the lead for the first time at 3-2, and from then on it was point for point until 7-7. But four unforced errors gave Lang a 11-7 advantage and he was gaining in confidence.
There was no looking back as Lang led 18-11 at one stage before wrapping up the second 21-14, and the Malaysian fans in the stands were stunned.
When the third set commenced, one could see the nervourness on the facial expression of Chong Wei, and Lang knew his opponent was in fragile mood.
Once again it was neck to neck until Chong Wei took the decisive point to lead 11-10 at the break. He then conceded one point before reeling off 10 points in a row to move into the second round where he plauys Simon Santoso of Indonesia.
"I last played him in December in the Super Series Finals but seven months is a long time. As I said past meetings count for nothing," said Chong Wei.

London Olympics: Koo/Tan make the quarters



Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong are through to the quarterfinals of the men's doubles competition of the Olympic Games.
They defeated Howard Bach/Tony Gunawan of the United States of America 21-12, 21-14 to confirm their berth in the last eight with a workmanlike performance at the Wembley Arena.
They will take on world number 2 pair Chung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae on Tuesday to determine who takes the top spot in their group, a get a potentially easier path into the semis.
"We played to our potential and thus it was a rather easy day on the court. We are our worst opponents and once we get going, there is no stopping us," said Koo.
"Our plan was simple, keep the pressure on them and not let them into the game. That worked well as we exploited their defence with power play.
"Now we will be up against the Koreans and the key factor is to ensure we keep our momentum going."
It was an explosive start as the Malaysian pair raced to a 9-0 lead before conceding the first point. They upped the tempo from the beginning and gave the USA pair no chance to settle down with their fast and aggressive display.
At the break the Malaysians held a 11-3 break and did not let up their aggression to move to a 17-9 lead before wrapping up the first set 21-12 in just 11 minutes on the court.
The second was no different from the first as Koo/Tan were 6-2 ahead and played some delightful shots, catching their opponents off guard with trick shots.
A leaping smash by Tan from the baseline gave Malaysia an 11-4 lead, once again achieved in just four minutes and they were in cruise mode.
But Tony/Gunawan were not giving up without a fight and picked up four straight points to reduce the deficit to 7-11.
Koo/Tan realised the danger of allowing their opponents back into the game and upped the tempo, with speed and power their key ingredient to collect points.
And they wrapped up the second 21-14 with another sterling display