The 2020 Final is repeating itself in the men's team sector at this year's Badminton Asia Team Championships. Malaysia and Indonesia are going to meet in the final round which is being held today, on Sunday (20/2/2022) after both defeating their opponents in the semifinal match in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
However, the results might be different. Two years ago, Indonesia won. In 2022, the chances of winning the match are in the hands of the host.
Malaysia has the key in two parties, namely the first singles Lee Zii Jia who is 2021 All England Champion, and the first doubles Aaron Chia / Soh Wooi Yik who was the Tokyo 2020 Olympic medalists.
Both have always contributed points for their country from the group stage to the semifinals. Including when they beat Korea with a score of 3-0 in the semifinals. Currently, Lee Zii Jia and the pair Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik are both ranked seventh in the world.
In the first singles, Indonesia's mainstay, Chico Aura Wardoyo is ranked 55th. Zii Jia and Chico have met four times with Lee winning three matches. The last time they met was at the 2018 Taiwan Open where Lee Zii Jia won. The meeting was also the only meeting in the senior event after the previous three when both Zii Jia and Chico were still at the junior level.
Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik is also expected to be able to beat Indonesia's players who are likely to field Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin, who is ranked 22nd in the world and former World Junior Champions. This will be the third meeting between the two pairs. In their two previous meetings, at the 2021 Swiss Open and the 2021 Thailand Open, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik won. However, things can turn out differently on the court. Mental training when having to defend Indonesia as they won the 2020 Thomas Cup could make Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin a tough opponent. In addition, Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin are unbeaten during their appearance in the Selangor Badminton Asia Team Championships 2022.
But it is possible that Indonesia will field its number one double’s players at the Selangor Badminton Asia Team Championships 2022: Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Rambitan, ranked 22nd in the world. The goal is to secure points in the second double by playing Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin as the second double. However, on paper, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik still has the upper hand.
The doubles matches will play a big challenge for Indonesia in defending their title. This is because the two singles under Lee Zii Jia, Ng Tze Yong and Leong Jun Hao, are ranked higher than Indonesian representatives Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, Ikhsan Rumbay and Christian Adinata. Ng Tze Yong, who is usually relegated as the second single, is ranked 47 and Leong Jun Hao 126. While Ikhsan is "only" ranked 90 and Christian Adinata 202.
However, that doesn't mean that with a better ranking, the singles Malaysian players will easily win the match. The skills and fighting spirit of Indonesian badminton players will play a very important role. If it reaches the fifth match, Christian is used to it and can be the key for Indonesia to win their fourth title.
In the women's group, Malaysia was immediately defeated in three straight matches by Korea Korea. As for that, Korea will meet Indonesia in the finals as Indonesia is qualified for the finals without breaking a sweat because Japan withdrew. In the last preliminary round, Indonesia and Korea were both in Group Z.
In the match on February 17, 2022, Indonesia narrowly won 3-2. This victory made Indonesia the group champion. However, results can change. This final atmosphere is different from the preliminary round. Korea has learned a lot from the defeat in the preliminary round.
But Indonesia does not want to be lulled by the victory in the preliminary round. Only, the composition that is derived is almost the same. However, Indonesia deserves to be wary of Korea's revival and multiplied enthusiasm to win.
Gregoria Mariska, as expected, contributed a point when she had to face Sim Yu-jin again. One point in the first match that surely boosts the spirits of his colleagues, including the second and third singles, Putri Kusuma Wardhani and Stephanie Widjaja. It could be, the match will last until the fifth party.
Stephanie's mentality will be tested when she is faced with Lee Seo Jin who can replace Kim Joo-Eun, who lost to Stephanie in the preliminary round. This means that Korea has prepared a strategy, including changing the composition of its badminton players.
