It’s China Versus Indonesia, Episode 7

It’s going to be the latest episode of badminton’s storied rivalry between two powerhouses of the sport. Fourteen-time winners Indonesia take on 10-time winners China, their seventh faceoff in a Thomas Cup final.

The record currently is even, with Indonesia winning their last meeting in Aarhus.

With the two teams also making the Uber Cup final, it will be only the second time, after 1986, that China and Indonesia are contesting both finals of the same edition.

In the semifinals on Saturday, Indonesia were mighty impressive in shutting out Chinese Taipei 3-0, while China avoided the pitfalls of a fifth match against Malaysia.

Lee Zii Jia was all at sea in the second game against Shi Yu Qi

Malaysia were a couple of points away from forcing a decider. Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik had done well to get the Malaysians level after Lee Zii Jia had succumbed to Shi Yu Qi in a second game meltdown; Li Shi Feng then put China ahead.

Malaysia had everything going for them in the second doubles. Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin were in sublime touch against He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, with Goh’s attacking forays at the net keeping the Malaysians on top. At 18-16 in the second the Malaysians were flying; but perhaps it was their adventurousness, or bad luck, or both, that swung the game away from them. With the Chinese having survived near-death, the momentum completely shifted their way, and Malaysia were left to contemplate on what might have been.

“We were leading all the way in the second game but we couldn’t get it,” said a dispirited Goh Sze Fei. “From there our confidence dropped and that cost us the match. We tried to catch up with their speed in the third, but I think we can do better.”