The mixed doubles pair of Chan Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing delivered a stunning performance to lead Malaysia to a 3-1 win over All Stars Asia on the second day of the Axiata Cup at the Britama Sport Hall in Jakarta here this afternoon. It was Malaysia’s second straight victory in as many days.
Chan Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing held their nerves to record a straight sets 21-18, 21-15 win over Hong Kong’s Lee Chun Hei-Chau Hoi Wah in the final match. The win will boost the confidence of the defending champions ahead of the match against hosts Indonesia tomorrow.
The Asian team, which held Indonesia to a stunning 2-2 draw yesterday, put up a brave fight yet again but eventually went down to the Malaysians today. Captain Chong Wei Feng once again played an inspiring role for the Malaysians when he beat Yun of Hong Kong 21-18, 15-21, 21-16 for his second win in five meetings over the World No 8.
Malaysia’s second point came from the men’s doubles when Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong outplayed the Indian pair of Manu Attri-Sumeeth Reddy a 21-15, 21-15.
“My win gave the rest of the players the confidence although (Tee) Jing Yee lost her match,” said Wei Feng, adding that he is ready to face any Indonesian player in the men’s singles. In the women’s singles tie, Taiwan’s Tai Tzu Ying (World No 8) defeated Jing Yee 21-19, 21-16.
Manager-coach Pang Cheh Chang said: “In every match, a lot depends on strategy. We also have to look at the players’ confidence to play a match and that’s why we played Peng Soon and Pei Jing in the mixed doubles. Peng Soon had partnered (Ng) Hui Lin against Vietnam.”
“Wei Feng has not let us down. He had carried out his responsibilities well and is a source of inspiration to his teammates. I am pleased with what he has done.”
Indonesia, the inaugural champions, bounced back with a 4-0 whitewash of Vietnam. Simon Santoso led the way with a 21-11, 21-8 win over Nguyen Hoang Nam in the men’s singles. Hana Ramadhini easily won the women’s singles before world No 2 Muhammad Ahsan-Markis Kido romped home to a 21-11, 21-15 in the men’s doubles against Bao Minh-Huyn Nguyen Khang.
Riky Widianto-Richi Puspita Dili completed the rout with a 21-15, 21-6 win over Dao Manh Thang-Pham Nhu Thao in the mixed doubles.
“I have Simon and Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka to play against Malaysia but the team will only be decided on the morning of the match day. We have ample players who can play as seen against Vietnam,” said coach-manager Aryono Minarat.
“Malaysia have come with their full team and we have to be wary of them. They are the defending champions and we have to take note of their performances so far,” said Aryono.
TODAY’S RESULTS (Afternoon session)
MALAYSIA 3 ASIA 1
Men’s singles: Chong Wei Feng beat Ho Yun (Hkg) 21-18, 15-21, 21-16
Women’s singles: Tee Jing Yee lost to Tai Tzu Ying (Tpe) 19-21, 16-21
Men’s doubles: Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong beat Manu Attri-Sumeeth Reddy (Ind) 21-15, 21-15
Mixed doubles: Chan Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing beat Lee Chun Hei-Chau Hoi Wah (Hkg) 21-18, 21-15
INDONESIA 4 VIETNAM 0
Men’s singles: Simon Santoso beat Nguyen Hoang Nam 21-11, 21-8
Women’s singles: Hana Ramadhini beat Dinh Thi Phuong Hong 21-8, 21-12
Men’s doubles: Muhammad Ahsan-Markis Kido beat Bao Minh-Huynh Nguyen Khang 21-11, 21-15
Mixed doubles: Ticky Widianto-Richi Puspita Dili beat Dao Manh Thang-Pham Nhu Thao 21-15, 21-6
