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Looking Back - Thomas Cup '92 (Part 1)
2007-12-13 02:31:00
Malaysia hopes to do well in next year's Thomas Cup competition, and I thought it would be appropriate to have a look at the 1992's Thomas Cup, the last time Malaysia managed to clinch the trophy. The setting for the finals was in Stadium Negara, with a 15,000 strong crowd, the majority of them being Malaysians. The setting was perfect: Malaysia had disposed of China in the semifinals, and now faced arch rivals Indonesia in the finals. Malaysia had managed to beat Indonesia in the last 2 Thomas Cup editions (1990 semifinals, 1988 semifinals), but fell to China in the finals both times. Now with China swept aside (The Great Wall Cracks - The Star Newspaper Headlines), can Malaysia repeat the feat and beat a more credible Indonesian team?Malaysia had hoped to win 3 points from the 2 doubles and the first singles. The other 2 singles, Foo Kok Keong (2nd singles) and Kwan Yoke Meng (3rd singles) had no hope against Olympic Champion Allan Budi Kusuma and Joko Suprianto respectively. Ou...
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Hong Kong Open Predictions
2007-12-02 02:51:00
It would seem that The Badminton Blog has had a lack of updates for the past few days. I do apologize to my readers who have stuck with me. I have not forgotten you, I am merely working on another project that will make The Badminton Blog bigger and better, with more writers and opinions. Anyway, on to this afternoon's predictions: Mens SinglesLee Chong Wei vs. Lin DanAlthough Lee defeated gritty Dane Jonassen, his performance was no as impressive as always. Lin Dan, who only needed 22 minutes to win in a half finished game against compatriot Chen Jin, would be obviously fresher and sharper. However, Lin has not played the new Lee before. The new Lee minimizes jump smashes and instead plays a patient game. Its hard to say whether this would work against Lin, and it will be indeed an interesting encounter this afternoon. Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya vs. Markis Kido/Hendra SetiawanTony and Candra are resurrected legends, who downed first seeds and world number 1 Koo Kien Keat and Tan B...
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Mew Choo Out
2007-11-29 10:26:00
Unfortunately, Wong Mew Choo has been eliminated in the first round of the Hong Kong Open by rival Salakjit Ponsana of Thailand. Wong is tipped to meet Ponsana, sister of Men's Singles player Boonsak Ponsana, who won the Singapore Open, in the upcoming SEA Games. Fresh from her triumph in Guangzhou, where she claimed her maiden title, Wong most probably couldn't sustain the high level of play required and lost for the second time in a row to Ponsana, who beat Wong earlier in the Sudirman Cup. Why then, didn't Wong withdraw from the tournament? A first round exit contributes about 2000 ranking points in the Olympic qualification race, which could be crucial in determining whether Wong gets to participate in the Olympics or not. This was a wise move by Wong, as appearing on court for perhaps 40 minutes could very well decide whether she gets to participate or not. Hopefully Mew Choo can have a good rest and continue her winning ways. All the best to her.

Announcement - Of Domain Registerations and Badminton
2007-11-28 04:35:00
Sorry for the lack of updates. As heavily requested, I will be posting on Wong Mew Choo's triumph later this week, after accessing her performance in the Hong Kong Open. The reason I was busy was that I have been discussing with several bloggers to combine our websites and blogs into one, combined website. I have been going around the internet trying to find out which website will give me the best deal in registering domain names, choosing domain names, searching domain names, and things like deciding whether to have a dedicated server or not. It is indeed tiring! But I think I am settling with yahoo webhostings, which I think give me the best deal, and I am just short of registering the domain name. Don't worry, I will be posting on the Hong Kong Open!
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Bao, Linejudges and Umpire Defeat Lee!
2007-11-25 12:34:00
Shameful, that is all I can say. Shameful. China's Bao Chunlai wins his maiden Super Series title over Lee Chong Wei, but at what cost? China might have avoided an embarrassing tournament, but at what cost? In an era that the Badminton World Federation is attempting to market badminton to the world, China's action is not only a threat to the integrity of the sport, but an insult to other professional players, previous tournament players, and badminton fans worldwide. Shame on you, China. Shame on you. Shame on you for bringing such a great sport into disrepute, into such dirty, filthy waters. Shame on you for killing any moral integrity the great sport of badminton had. I would say that the single, biggest threat to badminton nowadays is the despicable and selfish acts perpetrated by whoever that committed such a crime. Li Yongbo, if you think its honorable to win titles for your country through cheating, and if thats what national patriotism is for you, I would slap you. I am a C...

Tournament Prediction - China Open
2007-11-25 03:16:00
the cracking of the Great Wall? Lee Chong Wei vs. Bao ChunlaiThis is the third setup for a Super Series Final. Both prior times Lee prevailed in 2 straight sets, and Bao had to settle for runner up position. Bao seems to posses some kind of jinx in the finals of all tournaments, being runner up in 4 Super Series tournament, rightfully earning the title: Mr. Runner Up. Lee exhibited incredible patience and shot making in his 3 set triumph in yesterday's semifinal against Chen Jin, but he will not be going in on a stamina high, thanks to the 2 consecutive games that went the whole way. Bao will have the stamina advantage, thanks to the walkover from Chen Hong courtesy of our favorite coach Li Yongbo. Therefore, I think this match will be closer than the last few encounters. However, Lee should win eventually, in 3 sets. Wong Mew Choo vs. Xie XingfangAlthough I would like Wong to win her maiden Super Series title, Xie is the first seed and world number 1. Xie's speed was impressive, ...
More About: China , Open , China Open , Tournament , Amen

Petition to the Badminton World Federation
2007-11-24 06:45:00
Please take a moment and read and sign the petition I have created here: Petition to BWFI have removed the petition on my blog because it is unnecessary to have 2 petitions at the same time.
More About: World , Badminton

Badminton Predictions - China Open
2007-11-24 02:01:00
after the controversy and explosion in the Quarterfinals, the Semifinals are expected to be a more subdued encounter. Bao Chunlai vs. Park Sung Hwan Bao is fresh from yesterday's expected walkover from compatriot Chen Hong. While I will not delve in discussing that action, that walkover will ensure that many badminton fans around the world will be heavily supporting Park. Although in normal circumstances, I would support Bao, in this case, I am afraid that I too, hope that Park will win. In terms of technicalities, Bao is superior both stamina-wise and skill-wise. We just have to hope that Bao will display on of his mentally weak performances and Park would draw his confidence from killing several giants en route to his position today. However, it will be hard with all the Lee Chong Wei vs. Chen Jin A rematch of the semifinals of the French Open , but this time, with Chen Jin injury free yesterday. After the explosive words exchanged between him and Peter Gade yesterday, Chen will b...
More About: China , Predictions , Badminton , China Open

Emergence of Taiwan?
2007-11-23 13:34:00
China has one more reason to reclaim Taiwan - Badminton. After the upset of Koo and Tan in the hands of a Taiwanese pair, this time, it is Fairuzizuan and Zakry who got conquered in the hands of another Taiwanese pair. And possibly, Choong and Lee might even get defeated by the master of Koo and Tan. Apart from its disputed status and rowdy parliaments, personally, I have not paid much attention to this small island near the coast of China. Taiwan has not done particularly well in Badminton, Soccer, Football, well, anything. Apart from the rare Fung Permadi, rarely you will see a Taiwanese athlete on a podium. Now with the breakthrough performance in Guangzhou, can Taiwan emerge as the new superpower in badminton? Can more Fung Permadi-s be produced? This certainly mixes things up the badminton situation!

Breaking News - Koreans Stage Walkout! Chen Hong Walks Again!
2007-11-23 11:19:00
Incensed at the purportedly biased line calls against them, the Korean pair of Jung Jae Sung and Lee Yong Dae stage a walkover in their Quarterfinal match against Guo Zhengdong and Xie Zhongbo! On another front, Chen Hong walks again!Angry at the allegedly biased line calls, Jung and Lee decided to stage a walkout while trailing 19-16 in the deciding third set. Reportedly, all the linesmen were from China, and heavily favored China's last bastion in Men's Doubles after the exit of favorites and second seed Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng. It has been further alleged that the whole Korean team is planning to forfeit their matches in protest. The remaining Korean players in the Quarterfinals of the China Open are Mens Singles player Park Sung Hwan and Women's Singles player Jun Jae Youn, who will face Kenneth Jonnassen and Lu Lan respectively. The matches have yet to commence. If what the Koreans are claiming are true, then this is a very serious allegation. I have previously called (China ...
More About: News , Breaking News , Stage , Breaking , Walks

Mew Choo Marches On
2007-11-23 11:01:00
After being defeated twice, once during the Malaysian Open, and once during the World Championships, Malaysia's top Women's Singles player Wong Mew Choo finally got the better of reigning World Champion Zhu Lin. Although the score reflects a close match, Wong totally outclassed and dominated the younger Zhu, especially in the second and third sets. Ironically, Wong defeated Zhu in front of the Chinese home crowd, while it was in Kuala Lumpur, Wong's own home ground that Zhu got the better of Wong. The match started out equally, with both players cautiously testing each other. However, an unfortunate lapse of concentration on Wong's part allowed Zhu to surge forward and claim the first set 21-18 from a neutral 18-18 position. However, in the second set, Zhu failed to control the big drift present in the stadium, allowing Wong to exploit this weakness and surge to a 10-2 lead. Wong never looked back, and despite a late charge from Zhu, managed to secure the second set by an enormo...
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Major Hiccups in Malaysian Camp
2007-11-22 16:07:00
Day 2 of the China Open proceeded with marginally less upsets than day 1, although several major hiccups have emerged. The most severe hiccup was that of the departure of first seeds and world number 1 Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong in the hands of a relatively unknown Taiwanese pair in two tame sets. It seems that even the first round opponent of the Taiwanese were able to put up a better fight, going down in 3 tight sets. Instead, the hot favorites for the title shockingly went down tamely to this relative unknown. The emerging trend in this pair is that they have no problem in sweeping past known seeded pairs, while relative unknowns seem to trouble them. Lack of respect or psychological weakness, I am sure doubles coach Rexy Manaiky will address this problem. Hopefully he will be successful. Hafiz Hashim's comeback to the elite club of shuttlers seem to have taken a heavy blow today. With the departure of top seed Lin Dan, Hashim's path to the quarterfinals could not have b...
More About: Malaysian , Camp , Major , Malays

Tournament Prediction - China Open
2007-11-22 04:48:00
After a field day of upsets, the 2nd round promises some interesting encounters... Xie Xingfang vs. Tine RasmussenRematch number 3 between these two players. Best player from Europe vs. best player from Asia. On paper Xie, former world champion and current world number 1 is the heavy favorite, although Rasmussen managed to beat Xie in Tokyo en route to winning her maiden Super Series title. However, Xie is currently on a confidence high, coming straight from winning the French Open . Unless Xie cracks under the home crowd's pressure, she will walk away with this one in three sets. Wong Mew Choo vs. Pi HongyanWong easily swept past Chinese junior Zhu Jingjing yesterday, while Pi was forced to slog for 42 minutes before finally prevailing against a relative unknown. Fresh from her runner up finish in Paris, Pi is technically the favorite of this encounter. However, Wong will be eager to secure her Super Series Finals placing, and I predict that she will prevail in 3 tight sets. Wang C...
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Upset Upset Upset!
2007-11-21 11:09:00
Prapakamol and Thoungthongkam defeats All England finalist and sixth seeds Clark and Kellogg, opening the floodgates on the upsets that have flooded the first day of the 11th leg of the Super Series, the China Open. Chen Xu and Zhao Tingting knock out the 7th seeds Laybourne and Juhl in Mixed Doubles. Upset ! Unknown Anna Rice edges past Yip Pui Yin. Upset! If you think that is unusual...Park Sung Hwan defeats Lin Dan. BANG! UPSET!Just when you thought Chinese head coach Li Yongbo's temper couldn't get any worse... Fairuzizuan and Zakry sweeps past Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng. BANG! BANG! UPSET! UPSET! UPSET!!!With the 2 Chinese hopes (Cai/Fu and Lin Dan)demolished in the first round, the ticket organizers might be groaning as they witness ticket sales dropping. With the shock departure of the 2 favorites for the Men's titles, one wonders whether China's expected dominance in the Olympic Games next year will be marred by upsets like these. Is the Chinese public putting too much hope o...

Match Report - First Round XD China Open
2007-11-21 10:27:00
Tan Wee Kiong/Woon Khe Wei vs. Nathan Robertson/Gail EmmsWith the Asian Junior Champions the obvious underdogs against former World Champions and World Number 1, Malaysia did not expect them to pull off a win. The question was how much could our youngsters stretch the veterans. The game started on equal terms, with both teams levelling at 1-1, 3-3 4-4 and 5-5. However, the English pair soon shot off and asserted their dominance by claiming 4 points in a row. The Malaysian youngsters tried to stop the flow of points, but failed. The English convincingly won 21-16. The Malaysians had to find a way to stop the English from asserting their dominance. Playing from the better side of the court, Tan and Wee led 9-4. However, the experience of the English pair soon shone through, allowing the Malaysians to take another point before levelling it 10-10. However, the Malaysians continued to lead, but several unforced errors allowed the English pair to level at 13-13, 15-15, then 16-16. After t...
More About: China , Open , Report , Match , Round

Badminton Analysis- China Open
2007-11-20 03:45:00
Men's SinglesWith the withdrawal of Olympic Champion Taufik Hidayat, the two clear favorites of the Men's Singles are top seed and World Champion Lin Dan and the second seeded Lee Chong Wei. Dark horses Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin will attempt to sneak in and steal the title, but I think ultimately the victor will be one of Lin or Lee. Lee has been in superb form lately, winning the French Open and displaying his newfound patient ala Morten Frost style of playing, which was his knee injury's blessing in disguise. On the other hand, Lin Dan has recorded a rare shock loss in the semifinals of the French Open to compatriot Bao Chunlai. However, Lin Dan has never been known to dwell excessively on a minor hiccup, and I believe he will be the main contender for his home ground title. Lee will do his best to upstage him, and the anticipated Lin vs. Lee finals could very well go either way. Men's DoublesRecovering from a dramatic game in France against a Japanese pair, current world numbe...
More About: China , Analysis , Badminton , China Open

Badminton Predictions - China Open
2007-11-19 10:25:00
An unusually large amount of mouth watering matches litter the opening day of the China Open . Wang Chen vs. Saina NehwalBoth players put on unconvincing performances in the European circuit. Wang got eliminated by Malaysian Wong Mew Choo in the first round in Paris while the young Nehwal experienced a shock defeat in the hands of a lesser known opponent in the quarterfinals of the Vietnam Open. Wang's efficient and elegant footwork and her deceptive play will certainly put Nehwal in a difficult position. Although talented, Nehwal still lacks the grace and skill of the Chinese veterans. Given that Wang's prior injury will not affect her game, she should take this in 2 sets. Julia Meulendijk vs. Zhu LinOn paper the young Chinese appears to be a clear favorite for this match. However, world champion Zhu appears to be going through a slump in her career, with defeats to Chinese second stringer Lu Lan in Odsense and Ella Dhiel in Paris. Julia can be a lethal player at times, but this m...
More About: Predictions , Badminton , China Open