21/05/2016
Thomas and Uber Cup 2016 - Jiangsu (China)
As ex-badminton journalist, my fingers want to be active again in writing about my view of this four teams of Thomas Cup 2016 in Kunshan, Jiangsu (China).
Those who are not familiar with Thomas and Uber Cup, it's team championships for Men (Thomas Cup) and Women (Uber Cup).
Let me start from the Quarter Finals of the Thomas Team:
It was not easy for China as a host. It means the preassure must be very strong. China have been defeated by Korea in quarter finals with 1:3 for Korea. Only the king Lin DAN has won easily against Lee D**g Keun.
To have defeated China (as the strongest badminton of the wold), Korea have spent so much energy and it was a kind of a big joy. They would have thought that the next opponents will be defeated easily. Hmmmm.....hang on!
Indonesia have won against Hongkong with 3:1, and Denmark have won 3:2 against Japan.
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Today's Semi Finals:
(Malaysia vs Denmark)(
What's happened? Malaysia have won 2:0 against Denmark from the hard fight of Lee Chong Wei and Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong. The last fight as the first very important role was Zainuddin Iskandar Zulkarnain (as the dangerous "Rhino" I called him). Malaysia was very much hoping to Zainuddin. A huge pressure to bring his team to the final stage was on his hand. Denmark fought back and Hans-Kristian Vittinghus seemed so "stubborn". He did not like to be controlled by the "Rhino".
Zainuddin who was really on fire and has beaten all his opponents before facing what I called the "Danish Hereward" Hans-Kristian Vittinghus lost very tight. It was not easy for "Hereward" to defeat the Rhino from Malaysia. The score was 2:1 for Malaysia.
The Men's Doubles Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen had to do extra to face the Malaysia's famous dream pair Koo Kien Kiat/Tan Boon Heong. The Swiss Open winner have defeated Malaysia in 3 set games. What a joy for Denmark to have scored 2:2.
The last and least weapon was on the hands of Chong Wei Feng (Malaysia) and Emil Holst. The 25 years old boy Emil Holst against the 29 years old boy from Kedah (Malaysia).
Both have got the same preassure to bring his team into the Final Stage. Lee Chong Wei looked very nervous watching the final match of the day between his compatriot and the new Danish gladiator Emil Holst. After 9 chances reaching the Thomas Cup Final, Denmark have finally completed the 10 times final and will face Indonesia on Sunday 22nd May 2016.
(Indonesia vs Korea)
Indonesia have won 3:1 against Korea. Only Jonatan Christie did not win today. When Malaysia have Zainuddin (The Rinho), Indonesia have Anthony Ginting (I picture him as a Fawn). He has won against all his previous opponents. Ginting is the future star for Indonesia. He is not that tall but fast and furious.
It could be that Korea have lost so much energy against the King of Badminton China. Indonesia have played brilliantly with tactic and fast great anticipation. In men's Doubles for example, both Indonesian pairs tried to push and attack strategy and succeeded and Anthony Ginting played confidently against the senior.
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FINAL!!!
My prediction is 60:40 for Denmark to win the Thomas Cup. The opening game will be 1:0 for Denmark. Viktor Axelsen will win easily with 2 winning sets against any Indonesian. I am sure Tommy Sugiarto will be his opponent. To be able to win against Viktor, Tommy needs to have a miracle. Viktor is more mature on court and he covers the court efficiently. Not fast but efficient. Tommy is fast but often makes unforced errors.
Men's Doubles (MD)
My prediction will be Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan vs Mathias Boe/Mads CONRAD-PETERSEN. It will be a great fight between both pairs. Indonesia will win 3 set games with very exhausted game.
Then in the following Men's Singles will be Anthony Ginting against Jan O Jorgensen. Denmark will win 2 set games.
Men's Doubles 2 will be Angga PRATAMA/Ricky Karanda SUWARDI vs Kim ASTRUP/Anders Skaarup RASMUSSEN. Denmark will win in 3 set games. Score will be 3:1 for Denmark as a champhion. When Indonesia win in Men's Doubles 2, the score will be 2:2 and the last match will be Jonatan Christie vs Emil Holst. Denmark will win easily and will be crowned as the Winner of Thomas Cup 2016.
For info:
Indonesia have won Thomas Cup 13 times, Uber Cup 3 times.
Denmark have never won.
Can Denmark break the Jiangsu? So, it's time to have a new history of Badminton.
That's all only my prediction, the reality may differ and hoping that Indonesia will win. Indonesia BISA!
Who do you think will win and why?
