Axiata Cup: Bizarre point to Koo-Tan earns draw with Indonesia

Digging deep: Malaysia’s Chan Peng Soon (left) and Goh Liu Ying in action against Indonesia’s Muhammad Rijal-Debby Susanto during their Axiata Cup match yesterday. The Malaysians won 18-21, 21-16, 21-19 — KAMARUL ARIFFIN / The Star

Malaysia were once again lucky as they escaped with a 2-2 draw against Indonesia in the US$1mil Axiata Cup at the DBL Arena here yesterday.
After only managing a draw against Thailand on Friday, the Malaysians had an even tougher task taking on the hosts and defending champions.
Indonesia started well with Bellaetrix Manuputri storming to win the women’s singles tie, easily beating Tee Jing Yi 21-10, 21-18.
It was a really poor performance by world No. 51 Jing Yi, who was nowhere near her usual fighting self, as displayed against Thailand’s Ratchanok Inthanon on Friday.
In the men’s singles, world No. 16 Chong Wei Feng started for Malaysia, replacing Liew Daren in the line-up.
But that move did not inspire the team as Wei Feng had no answer to world No. 18 Tommy Sugiarto’s impressive attacking play, losing 16-21, 11-21.
It was then down to mixed pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying to turn it around once more but they found themselves trailing a game down early on.
But Peng Soon-Liu Ying managed to dig in and held their nerves before beating Muhammad Rijal-Debby Susanto 18-21, 21-16, 21-19.
World No. 2 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong then completed the comeback by beating scratch pair Hendra Setiawan-Ryan Agung Saputra 21-12, 26-24 in the men’s doubles.
But it could have easily gone Indonesia’s way as the umpire awarded a bizarre point to Kien Keat-Boon Heong when the score was 20-20.
“We knew it wasn’t really nice to lose, so we just kept going and gave our best,” said Boon Heong.
National singles head coach Rashid Sidek admitted that his side was really lucky to get a draw.
“Indonesia were very strong and we were quite lucky to draw. I think it’s quite satisfying that we managed to come from behind to level the tie,” said Rashid.
Doubles head coach Tan Kim Her also admitted that the match could have easily gone in Indonesia’s favour.
“Right now, Indonesia are definitely stronger than us. But it was always a 50-50 game and we were hoping that Wei Feng could win his match,” said Kim Her.
To the team’s credit, they managed to stay strong and rally from behind.
“It also helped that the umpire gave Kien Keat-Boon Heong the point although I do not know why.
“The toughest matches in this tournament were always against Thailand and Indonesia and, luckily, we didn’t do too badly. Hopefully, the best is yet to come from the remaining matches,” said Kim Her.
Malaysia will wrap up their final match in the first leg against the Europe All Stars today while Indonesia will face Asia All Stars.
In other matches, Vietnam got their first win of the tournament by beating Philippines 3-1.
Courtesy of The Star