The top-seeded Indonesian team had to depend on their third singles player to secure a 3-2 victory and enter the semi-finals of the men’s team event at the Asian Games.
Jun Hao, who is ranked world No 33, battled for 79 minutes to overcome Jonatan 20-22, 21-12, 21-17, giving Malaysia an unexpected 1-0 lead at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Aichi, Japan.
However, the Indonesians fought back to edge Malaysia 3-2 and book their semi-final slot.
Malaysia’s first doubles pair, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, failed to live up to expectations when they lost to Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri 15-21, 21-19, 10-21 in 50 minutes, allowing the Indonesians to level the score at 1-1.
Indonesia took the lead in the second singles match after Alwi Farhan defeated Justin Hoh 21-19, 21-19 in 50 minutes.
With a do-or-die mission on their hands, Malaysia’s second doubles pair Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun rose to the occasion to beat Leo Rolly Carnando-Daniel Marthin 17-21, 21-16, 21-13 in 53 minutes to level the score, forcing the tie down to the wire.
Indonesia’s third singles player Zaki Ubaidillah then clinched the winning point for his country in the deciding match by defeating Eogene Ewe 21-11, 21-11 in 35 minutes.
Earlier in the day, the Malaysian women’s team went down fighting to defending champions South Korea 3-1 in their quarter-final match.
Malaysia can still hope for medals in badminton as the individual events for the men, women and mixed doubles categories will begin on Friday.
Malaysia last won a bronze medal in badminton at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. - FMT
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