NST Online: Sports

Taufik thanks Daren for letting him off the hook

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:41 AM PDT

2011/06/15
By K.M. Boopathy

Taufik Hidayat returns a shot to Liew Daren in the first round of the Singapore Open yesterday. Hidayat beat Daren 22-24, 21-12, 2118. AFP picture

DENMARK'S World Junior champion Viktor Axelsen stunned Wong Choong Hann while Liew Daren missed out on a golden opportunity to halt Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the first round of the Singapore Open yesterday.

Choong Hann had beaten Axelsen at the same stage of the Thailand Open but the 17-year-old exacted revenge with a 25-23, 21-19 win in 43 minutes.

This means Choong Hann, 34, has failed to clear the first round of three Super Series events this year although he has d done well in the grand prix gold events.

Taufik was in all sorts of trouble against a determined Daren until the crucial stages of the third game where the Malaysian blew it, committing too many errors to allow Taufik to escape with a 22-24, 21-12, 21-18 win in 64 minutes.

Daren had a comfortable 13-8 lead in the third game but Taufik capitalised on his opponent's series of errors at that point to avoid an embarrassing defeat.

Taufik admitted he even thought he was as good as gone when Daren was way ahead in the third game.

"My coach always says it's scary when I play the first round. It's always like that, so many mistakes like today," said Taufik.

"In the third game when Daren was leading, I was just thinking tomorrow (today), I'll go back to Indonesia. But point by point I tried to reconstruct. And then he made so many mistakes in the last points... thanks Daren!"

However, women's doubles Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui made no mistakes as they beat the Netherlands' Lotte Jonathans-Paulien van Dooremalen 21-14, 21-17 to advance to the second round.

Pei Tty-Eei Hui will play Indonesia's Vita Marissa-Nadya Melati, who received a walkover from Duanganong Arunkesorn-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul of Thailand, today.

Men's doubles Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong were involved in a late first round match against Songphon Anugritayawon-Sudket Prapakamol of Thailand last night.

Fairuzizuan Tazari-Ong Soon Hock also played late against compatriots Goh Wei Shem-Lim Khim Wah in the first round.

RESULTS -- 1st rd (Malaysia unless stated), Men's Singles: Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt Liew Daren 22-24, 21-12, 21-18; Lin Dan (Chn) bt Shon Wan Ho (Kor) 21-14, 21-15; Chen Long (Chn) bt Alamsyah Yunus (Ina) 21-15, 21-7;

Doubles: Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan (Ina) bt Tony Gunawan-Howard Bach (US) 21-18, 21-17; Ingo Kidervater-Johannes Schoettler (Ger) bt Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong (Kor) 13-21, 21-16, 21-14.

Women's Doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui bt Lotte Jonathans-Paulien van Dooremalen (Ned) 21-14, 21-17; Vita Marissa-Nadya Melati (Ina) w.o. Duanganong Arunkesorn-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul (Tha).

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Underdog tag suits team just fine

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:35 AM PDT

THE Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU) is happy to have the national team wearing the underdog tag in the inaugural Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Sevens Under-20 tournament on July 9-10 in Johor.

MRU acting secretary Afandi Noordin said the tournament will serve as a benchmark for the national team at Under-20 level as this will be the first time they are competing in such a high profile event.

"We are familiar with the strength of other national sevens teams at senior level but this is the first time we will be competing against them at Under-20 level, so it will be hard to say how we will fare.

"With strong teams like Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the tournament, it will be a challenge for us so we will not be setting too high a target for the team."

Afandi, however, said there was always the possibility the national team could surprise a few of the more established teams and go deep into the second day of competition, considering the tournament does not allow the use of naturalised players or imports.

"The fact that it is rugby sevens where size does not matter much, and that there will be no imports, do give us an advantage besides being the hosts."

Afandi confirmed that Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) headmaster Wan Ibrahim Wan Chik will be in charge of coaching the team as the majority of players are expected to be from that school.

BPSS, from which 10 players helped Kelantan win the recent Malaysia Games rugby gold, have a strong set of under-21 players, many of whom have already represented the state and country at senior level. -- FADHLI ISHAK

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Rabu, 15 Jun 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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