INDONESIA SUPERLIGA – Taufik, Chong Wei bring gold

Bandung SGS PLN and its stars Taufik Hidayat and Lee Chong Wei claimed the gold medal in an epic final of the Superliga Indonesia beating PB Jaya Raya Suryanaga 3-2, thanks to their singles power.

Story and photos: Ira Ratnati, live in Surabaya

They came, they saw, they conquered.  SGS PLN Bandung finally won the  “battle of the best team” after a dramatic grand finale in Surabaya.

SGS won all three singles matches but lost the doubles. The club, which is based in Bandung, got the first point after Lee Chong Wei beat Chan Yan Kit 22-20, 21-16.  But lost their doubles, Hendri Saputra / Chayut Triyachart bowing to Alvent Yulianto / Tri Kusharjanto 13-21, 16-21.

“Our doubles didn’t play at their best, and we were a little bit surprised by the loss of Hendri/Chayut against Luluk and Tri [Kusharjanto],” said SGS team manager Herman Subarzah.

Taufik Hidayat was facing Fauzi Adnan in the second singles and as expected, the former Olympic champion delivered the point, but had to fight hard for his victory:  Fauzi may not be an aggressive player – lacking a hard smash or amazing drop shots, but he is known as strong fighter who will never give up for any point. Taufik clinched the game 21-16, 23-21.

Flandy Limpele and Hendra Aprida Gunawan were expected to win but had to admit the superiority of the young guns, Rian Agung and Tri Kusuma Wardhana. The famous duo lost 16-21, 21-17 and 18-21, meaning it would all depend on the last match. But Tommy Sugiarto was way above his opponent of the day, Alrie Gunadharma and took the title home 21-3, 21-12.

“Actually we really hoped that Fauzi could steal one point. If he did, we had a good chance to win the battle, but yes, SGS were better than us this time,” admitted Suryanaga’s manager, Wijanarko.

The winning team took home the trophy and a global cheque of Rp 350 million (US$40,000), the first runner-up prize money of Rp 200 million (US$22,000) while the bronze medal (and 125 Million Rp) went to PB Djarum, who beat PB Tangkas Alfamart 3-2 earlier in the day.