Home > News
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Bronze Medal Match - Denmark Badminton League
After two weeks resting time in US, I'll be in Denmark again for the Bronze Medal Match on April 16. My team, will play against Team Vendsyssel.
As of today, I don't have any information yet on who will be playing from Vendsyssel. Anyway, I will certainly perform my best to secure the medal for my team.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
The Worst Performance of My Life
It is certainly painful when you lost a match; however, I couldn't find a word the describe my dissapointment in my own performance against Kien Kiat/Boon Heong.
The match started equally due to unforced errors on both sides. Although Candra and I got two match points in the first game; we failed to close it. The second game went our way and we executed it nicely.
Then came the third game when everything went wrong. It was just unacceptable for me to compeletly lose it and give away the game just like that. That was the worst performance in my entire badminton career. I've never performed that badly before, not even during my junior years.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Entering Semi Final Swiss Super Series
Candra and I just defeated our younger teammate, Hendra and Joko 21-19 and 21-8. After giving an aggressive and strong performance in the first game, Hendra and Joko seemed to lose their concentration and give up easily in the second.
It is still unknown whom we will play in the semifinal tomorrow. The match between Kien Keat/Boon Heong and Cai Yun/ Fu Haifen has not even started yet. Either one will be just the same intense and interesting.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Second Round of Swiss Super Series
Well, it was quite an intense match today against Rasmussen and Paaske. Luckily, Candra and I can pull it together and win the third match 21-18.
For quarter final, we will be playing Hendra Gunawan/Joko Riyadi. They did a good job today and played their best against Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung. They won 21-19 21-17 in about 30 minutes.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
First Round of Swiss Super Series
The first round of main draw in the Swiss Super Series was marked by about two-hour delay. Many matches were played longer than expected; proving that competition in the Super Series tournament is very intense.
Candra and I won our first round against Keita Matsuda/Tadashi Ohtsuka 21-11 21-10. Next, we will be playing Jonas Rasmussen and Lars Paaske.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
No Ticket to Final All England
After defeating Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung 21-18 and 23-21 in quarter final, we were stopped by Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng in three intense games: 21-18, 19-21, and 18-21 in semi final round.
Certainly, the key is to win the second game to prevent playing the third game. We could've won it; unfortunately, we didn't. Well, it was certainly not great when the match was won by Fu Haifeng flicking his serve to Candra; however, that's part of badminton game.
Candra and I won All England back in 1999; although the last time I won it was in 2001, partnering with Halim. We certainly have the ambition to win it again; especially after years of being apart. Too bad, not this time. Hopefully, we will still have the opportunity to compete next year.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
All England Championships
Candra and I proceeded to the quarter final round after defeating Kristof Hopp and Ingo Kindervater from German, 22-20 and 21-12 on our first round and Guo Zhendong & He Hanbin of China, 13-21 21-18 and 21-13 on the second round.
We were having a tougher time on our first game for both matches; especially playing against China. They were playing really aggressive on a first game; and although we still struggle on the second game, we managed to win it. Finally, Candra and I picked up our pace and won the third game.
Sunday, February 4,2007
Golden Gate Badminton Club
I had a great time watching the USA Team Trial competition at Golden Gate Badminton Club. It is my hope that more and more US junior players take part in elite competitions so that they will know their level and gain more experience.
I also enjoyed the badminton clinic with players in bay area. Coaching many different players gives you the opportunity to learn how to improve your game as well. I would love to come back and meet all my friends there; and hopefully, have more time to do badminton clinics.
Saturday, January 27,2007
No Final This Time
Candra and I failed to defend our last year Korea Open mens' doubles title. We lost to home favorite Lee Yong Dae/Jung Jae Sung in the 50-minute battle.
Although we won first game 23-21, we were running out of speed and power to handle the pressure in the second and third game. We were behind all the time, couldn't overcome the pressure, and lost 16-21 and 12-21.
To summarize our performance in these two opening Super Series tournaments, it is obvious that lack of concentration to maintain our speed was the major issue. Although I'm happier with my performance in Korea than in Malaysia, I am certainly not satisfied with not winning the tournament.
Friday, January 26,2007
A Spot in Semi Final
I'm quite happy with my own performance tonight. We managed to overcome Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun's deadly attack and won 21-19 and 21-19. The match was very intense and we were always two or three points behind during the first half of both games. Luckily, we always got to the match point first and although they scored to 19, we were able to end the game both times.
Next, we will be playing Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung from Korea. We were supposed to play them at the semifinal Malaysia Open; but Lee Yong Dae was badly injured that time. Now we are to play at their home court and they will definitely go all out to please the crowd.
Thursday, January 25,2007
A Spot in Quarter Final
We just defeated our opponent, the young Korean, 21-16 and 21-10. I feel better with my game and my concentration and will be ready for tomorrow's match.
We will be playing Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun from China. They won against young Indonesian: Joko Riyadi/Hendra Gunawan 21-19 and 21-13. It will be a great quarter-final match to watch.
Wednesday, January 24,2007
Passed The Tough First Round
As Candra and I tried to regain our concentration after finishing second in Malaysia, we went through a tough first round against Jonas Rasmussen/Lars Paaske from Denmark. After a lost in the first game 15-21 and was behind 12-15 on the second game, we managed to overcome the pressure and won 21-17 and 21-14.
For our second round, we will play young Korean: Han Sang Hoon and Cho Gun Woo. I am hoping to play better and to do my part as the playmaker more effectively this time.
Sunday, January 21,2007
Stopped By The Young Guns
Kudos to Kien Keat and Boon Heong for their performance tonight. They deserve to win because they play better and they stay focus throughout the entire match. The crowd was very loud and Kien Keat/Boon Heong were really energized because of that.
On the other hand, Candra and I couldn't perform our best and lost 15-21 and 18-21. We had a hard time to stay focus, especially on the first game and that certainly became an advantage for our opponent. Well, we are looking forward to playing them again in the near future.
Candra and I are now on our way to Seoul, Korea for the Korea Open Super Series. We have two days to rejuvenate and refocus ourselves to do better in this tournament.