MALAYSIA failed to defend their Axiata Cup title after crashing out to top-seeds Indonesia 6-4 on set difference when both sides drew 2-2 in the semi-finals at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium yesterday.
The opening men’s singles saw Tommy Sugiarto give the visitors the opening point after he beat national team captain Chong Wei Feng in straight games 21-16, 21-19.
Tee Jing Yi, however, put Malaysia on level terms with a 13-21, 22-20, 21-19 come-from-behind win against Bellaetrix Manuputty in the women’s singles.
Tan Boon Heong and Tan Wee Kiong then put the national team within grasp of victory with a hard fought 21-10, 13-21, 21-18 win over Markis Kido-Kevin Sanjaya in the men’s doubles.
But it was not to be for the partisan home crowd as Riki Widianto-Richi Puspita Dili snatched the tie for Indonesia with a straight sets 21-14, 22-20 win over Chan Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing in the mixed doubles.
Team manager-cum-coach Rashid Sidek said it was disappointing to lose the tie on set difference but stressed that the squad has no choice but to focus on the third-place playoff today.
“It is cruel but there is nothing we can do about it (losing on set difference) as that is how the tournament rules are,” said Rashid.
“Jing Yi did really well to give us that first point today (yesterday) you could see the determination she had.
“Unfortunately Peng Soon and Pei Jing did not perform to the best of their abilities. Maybe they were feeling the pressure.”
Indonesia will be happy with their win as they were playing without their top players Mohammad Ahsan, Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, Lilyana Natsir and Tontowi Ahmad.
They will play Thailand, who downed All Star Asia 3-0 in their semi-final, for the title today. Malaysia will face All Star Asia in the third-place playoff.