SEA GAMES 2015 – Indonesia and Thailand recrowned champions

Indonesia emerged victorious in the SEA Games 2015 men’s team final by beating Thailand 3-2 in a series of gritting matches. It was not all lost for the Thai team though as earlier in the day, they successfully defended their Women’s Team Champion title, reigning over Malaysia 3-0.

By Serla Rusli and Seria Rusli, Badzine correspondents live from Singapore Indoor Stadium. Photos: Serla Rusli

It was certainly a hard fought title for Indonesia. Thailand earned the first point in the finals when Jonatan Christie, who turned heads during Indonesia Open Superseries Premier just last week after creating consecutive upsets against Boonsak and Lee Hyun Il, failed to overcome Tanongsak’s confident attacks. The defending SEA Games men’s singles champion secured the first point for Thailand, 21-17, 21-19.

Indonesia then scored the equaliser through their men’s doubles power duo Ricky Karanda Suwardi / Angga Pratama.  Ricky / Angga, who won their first ever Superseries title in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, beat Bodin Issara / Nipitphon Puangpuapech 21-15, 21-13.

Thai came to the lead again when Boonsak Ponsana (pictured above) breezed through his match against Indonesia’s second singles player Firman Abdul Kholik, 21-7, 21-14.

“We have had a very tiring week, as we played very close matches against Vietnam and Singapore. I think we have a pretty good chance in winning the title, but still, anything can happen,” said Thai team captain Boonsak.

True enough, Indonesia seemed to beat the odds with their second doubles. Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo / Marcus Fernaldi Gideon (pictured) secured the extremely crucial point for Indonesia by reigning over Pakkawat Vilailak / Wannawat Ampunsuwan in incredibly close games 21-19, 18-21, 21-14.

It was then down to 17-year-old Ihsan Maulana Mustofa (pictured below) to seal the deal for Indonesia. His opponent Suppanyu Avihingsanon gave Indonesia a scare when he managed to make an incredible comeback in the first game and eventually won it 22-20. However, he was unable to sustain the form and under Ihsan’s aggressive attacks, Suppanyu, together with the whole Thai team, had to bow down to the red-and-white flag and surrendered the match 22-20, 16-21, 9-21. Ihsan’s victory dashed Thailand’s hope to end the men’s team 30-year title drought in SEA Games, a task that they haven’t been able to accomplish since their last title in 1975.

“Overall this is a very good achievement, and a very good start for our junior team,” said badminton legend Taufik Hidayat, who is here in Singapore to lead the whole Indonesian contingent. “However, this is just a start and we should not be in our euphoric moment for too long. There are still many future competitions ahead.

“The Indonesian men’s team has a very bright future. We have very good players, and it is certainly time to give these young players a chance to perform in the international field.”

Thai ladies win gold

Still, the Thai team is not going home empty-handed. Earlier in the day, the Thai women’s team bagged the gold medals in a convincing victory over Malaysia.

It took less than 3 hours for Thailand to clinch the title in the women’s event of the SEA Games in Singapore. Led by former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon, the Thais left no chance to their opponents of the day from Malaysia. Intanon beat Lim Yin Fun in straight games 21-13, 21-14, then the doubles Puttita Supajirakul / Sapsiree Taerattanachai beat the duo Amelia Anscelly / Soong Fie Cho 22-20, 21-18, before Busanan Ongbamrungphan beat Ho Yen Mei quite comfortably in straight games 21-8, 21-15 for a final 3-0 success.

Women’s Team Final:  Thailand 3, Malaysia 0
WS1: Ratchanok Intanon (THA) beat Lim Yin Fun (MAS)  21-13, 21-14
WD1: Puttita Supajirakul / Sapsiree Taerattanachai (THA) beat Amelia Anscelly / Soong Fie Cho (MAS)  22-20, 21-18
WS2: Busanan Ongbamrungphan (THA) beat Ho Yen Mei (MAS)  21-8, 21-15
WD2: Duanganong Aroonkesorn / Kunchala Voravichitchaikul (THA) vs. Vivian Hoo / Lai Pei Jing (MAS) [not played]
WS3: Nitchaon Jindapon (THA) vs. Goh Jin Wei (MAS) [not played]

Men’s Team Final:  Indonesia 3, Thailand 2
MS1: Jonatan Christie (INA) lost to Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (THA) 17-21, 19-21
MD1: Angga Pratama / Ricky Karanda Suwardi (INA) beat Bodin Issara / Nipitphon Puangpuapech 21-15, 21-13
MS2: Firman Abdul Kholik (INA) lost to Boonsak Ponsana (THA) 7-21, 14-21
MD2: Marcus Fernaldi Gideon / Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) beat Wannawat Ampunsuwan / Pakkawat Vilailak (THA) 21-19, 18-21, 21-14
MS3: Ihsan Maulana Mustofa (INA) beat Suppanyu Avihingsanon (THA) 20-22, 21-16, 21-9