It was a hard-earned victory as Malaysia had endured a long battle that lasted almost six hours to subdue their archrivals, Indonesia, 3-2, and equalled their best performance in the mixed team championship they achieved back in 2009 in Guangzhou, China.
It was also Malaysia’s first success over Indonesia in the Sudirman Cup after three encounters since losing 4-1 in the first meeting, in the group stage of the 1999 edition in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Fiery Tokyo Olympics men’s doubles bronze medallists, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, handed a promising start for Malaysia as they powered past world’s No 1 Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in the first game.
In a Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals replay, Aaron-Wooi Yik who won the tie in July, were clinical throughout the game, as they brushed aside the challenge from the Indonesian duo in straight games, 21-12, 21-15, in 33 minutes.
Despite showing glimmers of hope, 2019 SEA Games women’s singles champion, S Kisona couldn’t hold on as world No 21 Gregoria Mariska Tunjung kept her nerve till the end to level the score for Indonesia.
Gregoria overcame Kisona in a tight 67-minute epic, 22-20, 18-21, 21-19.
Then, came the moment for All England champion Lee Zii Jia to deliver Malaysia’s second point, trouncing Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-11, 21-16, and thus, recording his maiden victory over the Indonesian after four previous meetings.
Both players first met in the round of 32 in the 2019 French Open, where Anthony defeated the 23-year-old Kedahan, 21-16, 21-8.
Despite producing an impressive fighting spirit, it was not enough for up and coming women’s pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah to create an upset over Tokyo Olympics women’s doubles gold medallists, Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu.
Greysia-Apriyani gave a lifeline to Indonesia as they emerged victorious in an entertaining fourth match, 22-20, 17-21, 21-18.
In the final match, mixed pair, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See produced a heroic performance especially in the rubber game as they stunned world No 4 Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti 21-16 to chalk up the winning point for Malaysia.
Hoo-Cheah had earlier won the first game 21-19 but allowed Praveen-Melati to beat them 21-9 in the second.
A tricky road lies ahead for Malaysia in the semis as they lock horns against 2019 runners-up Japan, once again at 9pm today. They had lost 4-1 to the team from the Land of the Rising Sun in the last Group D tie on Thursday.
Japan booked their semifinal berth following a victory 3-1 over Taiwan.
Meanwhile, in the first session of the last eight, defending champions China edged Denmark 3-2 to face South Korea, who emerged victorious against Thailand, also 3-2.