Defending champions Indonesia await Malaysia in the men’s team badminton final final on Thursday after winning their respective semi-final matches at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
Malaysia had to battle in three game matches before prevailing 3-0 over Singapore while Indonesia defeated Thailand 3-1. Indonesia won the gold at the last Sea Games in Singapore in 2015 with 3-2 win in the final.
Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin was stretched to three games before winning 21-19, 17-21, 21-10 in a 52 minute encounter against Ryan Ng Zub Rei in the first singles.
It was another three-game first doubles with country’s number two pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi coming through a 21-10, 20-22, 21-15 win over Terry Hee Yong Kai-Loh Kean Hean.
Rising star Soon Joo Ven once again secured the winning margin but was forced to come back from a set down against Penang-born Loh Kean Yew for his 9-21, 21-17, 21-18 win in 63 minutes.
Indonesia received a shock after Alfian Fajar-Ardianto Mohammad Rian lost to Bodin Isara-Nipitphon Phuangphuapet 21-13, 15-21, 16-21 in the first men’s doubles which tied the score at 1-1.
Earlier Indonesia won the first singles through Christie Jonatan who won 21-6, 21-18 against Khosit Phetpradab.
Mustafa Ihsan Maulana won the second singles to put Indonesia 2-1 up. The Indonesian beat Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-15, 21-14.
Indonesia clinched the winning point through the second doubles when Angriawan Berry-Hardianto Hardianto beat Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavarananukroh 27-25, 21-9.
RESULTS
Semi-Finals
Malaysia beat Singapore 3-0
(Malaysia first)
MS1: Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin beat RyanNg Zin Rei 21-19, 17-21, 21-10
MD1: Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi beat Terry Hee Yong Kai-Loh Kean Hean 21-10, 20-22, 21-15
MS2: Soong Joo Ven beat Loh Kean Yew 9-21, 21-17, 21-18
Other Result
Indonesia beat Thailand 3-1
