PROTON-BWF THOMAS & UBER CUP 2010 FINALS: Malaysia crumble under China onslaught
News 4:50 PM
The crowd turned up in full force hoping for a miracle but China were in no mood to be charitable as they crushed hosts Malaysia 3-0 at the Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
More than 12,000 spectators crammed into the stadium hoping to inspire Malaysia to their first final since 2002 with thousands more left without a ticket outside. 
Arguably the most anticipated encounter took place in the first singles when Malaysia’s world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei faced off with his arch nemesis Lin Dan, the current world and Olympic champion.
The duo had met 19 times previously with the Chinese left hander holding a 13-6 advantage. He, however, had lost two of his three encounters against Chong Wei in Malaysia.
This time, Lin was in an uncompromising mood and he tore Chong Wei’s defence to shreds, winning 21-17, 21-8 in 48 minutes.
A disappointed Chong Wei said: “I’m disappointed and sorry for the fans as I could not deliver a point. The court seemed so small today and I could not find my shots.
“I didn’t play well today at all. I’m not giving any excuses or say that there was added pressure on me to deliver due to the large crowd. Lin was just too good today."
Malaysia were hoping to draw level in the first doubles as world No. 1 Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong met Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng but they too succumbed under pressure to lose 21-15, 21-10.
It was left to Chen Jin to clinch the winning point for China and the youngster didn’t disappoint as he outplayed veteran Wong Choong Hann 21-16, 21-7 in 41 minutes.
China will now play Indonesia in Sunday’s final. It will be the countries first encounter in the final since 1986. China won 5-4 in their first meeting in 1982 but Indonesia got their revenge when they won 3-2 in 1984. Two years later, it was China’s turn to win 3-2.
Asked if he thought the Malaysians crumbled under pressure, China’s head coach Li Yongbo said: “I think my players handled the pressure better than Malaysia.
“I think whoever face Malaysia will be under pressure as everyone wants to beat China. Sometimes home advantage can work against you as there is added pressure.
“I have no complaints and will now go back and prepare for the final.”
THOMAS CUP
SEMI-FINALS
Indonesia 3 Japan 1 (Taufik Hidayat bt Kenichi Tago 21-9, 21-14; Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan bt Kenichi Hayakawa-Kenta Kazuno 21-9, 21-11; Simon Santoso lost Sho Sasaki 19-21, 21-13, 11-21; Nova Widianto-Alvent Yulianto Chandra bt Noriyasu Hirata-Hiroyuki Endo 22-20, 21-14); China 3 Malaysia 0 (Lin Dan bt Lee Chong Wei 21-17, 21-8; Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng bt Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong 21-15, 21-10; Chen Jin bt Wong Choong Hann 21-16, 21-7)
Arguably the most anticipated encounter took place in the first singles when Malaysia’s world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei faced off with his arch nemesis Lin Dan, the current world and Olympic champion.
The duo had met 19 times previously with the Chinese left hander holding a 13-6 advantage. He, however, had lost two of his three encounters against Chong Wei in Malaysia.
This time, Lin was in an uncompromising mood and he tore Chong Wei’s defence to shreds, winning 21-17, 21-8 in 48 minutes.
A disappointed Chong Wei said: “I’m disappointed and sorry for the fans as I could not deliver a point. The court seemed so small today and I could not find my shots.
“I didn’t play well today at all. I’m not giving any excuses or say that there was added pressure on me to deliver due to the large crowd. Lin was just too good today."
Malaysia were hoping to draw level in the first doubles as world No. 1 Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong met Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng but they too succumbed under pressure to lose 21-15, 21-10.
It was left to Chen Jin to clinch the winning point for China and the youngster didn’t disappoint as he outplayed veteran Wong Choong Hann 21-16, 21-7 in 41 minutes.
China will now play Indonesia in Sunday’s final. It will be the countries first encounter in the final since 1986. China won 5-4 in their first meeting in 1982 but Indonesia got their revenge when they won 3-2 in 1984. Two years later, it was China’s turn to win 3-2.
Asked if he thought the Malaysians crumbled under pressure, China’s head coach Li Yongbo said: “I think my players handled the pressure better than Malaysia.
“I think whoever face Malaysia will be under pressure as everyone wants to beat China. Sometimes home advantage can work against you as there is added pressure.
“I have no complaints and will now go back and prepare for the final.”
THOMAS CUP
SEMI-FINALS
Indonesia 3 Japan 1 (Taufik Hidayat bt Kenichi Tago 21-9, 21-14; Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan bt Kenichi Hayakawa-Kenta Kazuno 21-9, 21-11; Simon Santoso lost Sho Sasaki 19-21, 21-13, 11-21; Nova Widianto-Alvent Yulianto Chandra bt Noriyasu Hirata-Hiroyuki Endo 22-20, 21-14); China 3 Malaysia 0 (Lin Dan bt Lee Chong Wei 21-17, 21-8; Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng bt Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong 21-15, 21-10; Chen Jin bt Wong Choong Hann 21-16, 21-7)
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 4:50 PM.
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