Thomas Cup 2008

Today marks the end of the road for the Malaysian Thomas Cup 2008 team. Sorry to all readers cause i didn't updates more on Thomas Cup earlier. Oh yea, they were beaten by China, the world powerhouse of badminton. The result of the match is 3-2. It was an exciting badminton match to watch as this badminton match ended up in 5 matches.

1st match: Lee Chong Wei vs Lin Dan

Of course, Lin Dan were the favourites to this match-up. As most of the people were expecting China to win this match easily (haha, they surely don't expect it to be though). Lin Dan losses this match to Lee Chong Wei started the 1st set with complete fire. He gained 5 straight points before Lin Dan gain his 1st point. And soon, without knowing, Lee Chong Wei won the 1st set with 21-12, without much of a fight from Lin Dan. Amazing, Lin Dan makes more mistake in this match than any other match. It is weird though, for a World No.1 to lose this way, and in this big occasion. Haha. Come the second game, Lin Dan did well in this second set. Both fellow did follow up each points as, it soon reach 11-10 for Lin Dan lead, time for break. After that, Lee Chong Wei did tremendously well to get over Lin Dan and then without noticing too, Lin Dan were already losing 20-14. And after another mistake by Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei finally won the second set. Well Done Chong Wei.

2nd Match: Fu/Chai vs Koo/Tan

This might be a gamble for Malaysia as they left out their first double's (Lee/Choong) from the match-up today. But, gamble, Malaysia did. Haha. They choose Koo/Tan to start because they are young and quick to fight the World No.2 Fu/Chai. Koo and Tan did well to try and stop their opponents, but, they doesn't do as well as they can do. Koo didn't have their best games in the first set, but he soon recover from that, but they still lose their 1st set. In the 2nd set, it was more a tug-of-war between this two teams. Both team did well, rallies after rallies. But, Tan was making much mistakes that cost Malaysia. But it was well done for them. The highlight of the match was, Koo's racquet were broken and then he ran off to change one and came back to win a point for them as Tan defended their shots.

3rd Match: Bao ChunLai vs Wong Choong Hann

This is the important match as Malaysia's chance of going to finals. But, it ended up China's Bao ChunLai come over the top with very on form. The results were 18-21 7-21. The first set, Wong Choong Hann did well, but Bao managed to get a result over the veteran Wong. In the second set, Bao ChunLai proves to the world why he is the World No.3 by stamping an authority over Wong Choong Hann. He is just sublime is the second set which ended 21-7. It was well done for Wong as nothing or no one can stop Bao when he is top form.

4th Match : Zakry/Fairuz vs Guo/Xie

This is the match that Malaysia need to win in order to keep chances on their revival. Not much heard of the Chinese Pair but, one thing, this young Malaysian pair does win them before in the past. Hope for future to repeat. And repeat it does. This Malaysian pair does have nice future in front of them. They are fast, witty and plenty of arrongance. Haha. The result of the match is 21-17, 21-15. Zakry was one of the highlight of the game. He is fast and clever in front of the net. And Fairuz, was good in smashing their opponents. Really, Well Done for them and Rexy, Malaysia's Double coach. In this match, Lee Yong Bo shows his displeasure over the China's 2nd double by refusing to talk to them twice during the break. Also, he was shown quite sleepy as the match was going on. How can he sleep in such an exciting match. Haha. Peace.

5th Match : Hafiz Hashim vs Chen Jin

This is the match that both guys needs to win for their own team to reach the Thomas Cup Final. Chen Jin is World No.4 in the world ranking. It is the whole's country hopes for Hafiz to win this Chinese singles. But, it is well done to Hafiz to fight the Chinese singles. He often show glimpses of talent he is when he won the All England Championship few years ago. But due to his inconsistent, he was left with nothing but authority from the World No.4. They don't stay in the world ranking without any reason. Haha. The match ended 12-21 and 16-21 and so does Malaysia's hope of winning the Thomas Cup.

Well Done Malaysia.

China will meet South Korea in the finals after Korea beat the home side with the 3-0 result. The match ended after Taufik loses to Lee Hyun Il in the 2nd singles. Korea said that in order to reach the final with facing easier opponent, they purposely lose all the matches in the group stages. Well, this is a nice tactics, but can they beat China in the finals. Haha.

On the other side, Uber Cup Finals will be between China vs Indonesia. Hopefully for a nice finals then.