Dato' Lee Chong Wei lose in quarter-final of China Open

Dato’ Lee Chong Wei’s poor form continued in the China Open when he was ousted in the men’s singles quarter-finals. Before this tournament, Dato’ Lee Chong Wei was suffered a shock loss to Brice Leverdez from France in the first round of the World Championship in Glasgow, Scotland in August.

In this tournament, Dato’ Lee Chong Wei meet the same person again in second round match and easy for him to win that match 21-6, 21-9. But his journey in China Open was ended after defeat to Angus Ng Ka Long from Hong Kong who is 12 years younger than Dato’ Lee Chong Wei. The 35-years old and also the seeded seventh for the tournament losing in a three set thriller, 12-21, 21-15 and 19-21 in 70 minutes at Hiaxia Olympic Sport Centre.

Dato’ Lee Chong Wei is not disappointed with his quarter-final defeat in the China Open. Instead, the World No 7 considers his performance in China as a sign of progress following first round exits in the Denmark Open and French Open.

He believes he has regained confidence to do better in the Hong Kong Open. That tournament also will be Dato’ Lee Chong Wei’s final tournament for 2017 before he takes a short break to reassess his condition and other matters concerning his career for next season.

BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said, “Chong Wei told me that he was happy with his performance in the China Open. The shuttler believes he has regained confidence and he hopes to do better in the Hong Kong Open”.

When asked whether Dato’ Lee Chong Wei is nursing an injury, Norza said that Dato’ Lee Chong Wei is fit and has no problems.

For the records, Dato’ Lee Chong Wei has not won a title since his All England victory in March. He was the losing finalist in the Malaysia Open and Japan Open.

Rafiq challenge in the PBA Cheetah Championship ends early

Rafiq Ismail’s run up the PBA Cheetah Championship ended in the first round of the match play stage at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada.

The 20 year old Malaysian and also the seeded sixth in the last 16 match play stage put a gallant performance in four games before losing 235-203, 259-256, 269-225, 238-218 to two-handed bowler from Australia, Jason Belmonte that also the 11th seeds of the tournament.

Rafiq said, “It is not easy when you play in a match play round. The games are very fast. Every strike counts but unfortunately for me, I did not carry well on this games”.

When asked about his overall experience in the PBA World Series of Bowling Tour, Rafiq added, “It was a good experience as I was able to bowl with so many top bowlers. It was a great achievement considering that I made the top 16 of the Cheetah Championship and also did well enough to qualify for the PBA World Championship”.

He was a part of the Rest of the World team that faced the United States in a late match before this. The other bowlers that also in the Rest of the World were Jason Belmonte (Australia), Jesper Svesson (Sweden), Dominic Barret (England) and Thomas Larsen (Denmark).

Before join the PBA Cheetah Championship, Rafiq Ismail have participated in PBA World Championship. He only can ending up the games in 24^th spot and failed to make the top-five cut for the stepladder finals. Rafiq only manage to 2155 pin falls over the last 10  games to finish with a 60-games total 13555 pin falls.

In-from Swedish bowler, Jesper Svesson retained top spot in the 49 players standings with a 14465 pin falls.

Sepak takraw team missed the chance to win ISTAF World Cup 2017

Malaysia and another seventeen countries including world champion, Thailand was participated in ISTAF World Cup 2017. This tournament been held from 2 until 5 November 2017 at Hyderabad, India. It was a second-ever World Cup after the last game was held in Kuala Lumpur on 2011.

In this tournament, Malaysia has did well during the tournament to go through the final match against the top seeds Thailand. But, Malaysia went down in straight games in the final.

National coach Abdul Talib Ahmad fielded an experienced side comprising tekong Syahir Rosdi, feeder Farhan Adam, killer Norhafizi Abd Razak with Hanafiah Dolah (killer) coming off the bench in the second game.

On the other side, Thailand rested legendary killer Pornchai Kaokaew and Anuwat Chaichana (killer) for the tournament thought they did include tekong Siriwat Sakha.

Malaysia showed determination and sheer fighting spirit especially in the second set where they stretched the Thais who eventually won with a score of 23-21. At a time when Malaysia lag 15-18, they managed to tie the score and struggling until the end before losing the game. It was a tough game which both team always exchange points. The national squad also fought well in the first set in which they went down 19-21.

“Our players gave the best fight to win. Just a few mistakes hampered our efforts to emerge victorious. Congratulations to our players for forcing the opponents to more struggling for victory. In fact, at one point, the Thais got worried and even despatched their experienced tekong, Siriwat Sakha. For me, this is a loss where our pride is still very much intact”, Abdul Talib said.

For the record, the last time Malaysia beat Thailand was in Malaysia during the ISTAF Super Series 2015 Final. The achievement in Hyderabad is a repeat of the 2011 edition when the national team lost to Thailand in the final for bringing back the silver medal.

Malaysia finished runners-up in 2017 AFF Futsal Championship

The 2017 AFF Futsal Championship is the 14th edition of the tournament. This tournament been held at Ho Chi Minh City at Vietnam from 26th October until 3rd November 2017. Nine countries participate in this tournament which is Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Timor Leste, Laos and also Malaysia. 

Malaysia team have show their full spirit when play to go through the final for the first time in seven years. But Malaysia once again defeat to Thailand in the final match after also defeat at Kuala Lumpur Sea Games. The last time Malaysia made the final was in 2010 which is also in Ho Chi Minh City, where they lost 0-5 to Indonesia. 

In the final match, Malaysia has made a good start after scoring two goals only in seven minute through Awalludin Mat Nawi and Ridzwan Bakri. On 12nd minute, Thailand closing the gap to 1-2 after Tanachot Sosawaeng get score from a great move to treat Malaysia's goalkeeper. 

Thailand pushed forward into the second half in search of the equaliser but it was Malaysia who went ahead again in the 23rd minute with Muhammad Awaluddin blasting in from a throw in. Thailand would soon regrouped with Muhammad Osmanmusa scoring the crucial goal in the 27th minute as veteren Jetsada Chudech then drew level with a strike in the 31st minute.

The extra time would be all Thailand as Malaysia felt that the title slipping away from them and just four minutes in, a strike from youngster Ronnachai Jungwonsuk have beat Malaysian goalkeeper Azrul Hadee Taufiq for the fourth time on the night.

"It was a tough and difficult game as we had expected. We started well but did not score and while we continued to created, Malaysia were quick with the two goals and that put us under pressure. I told the players that we cannot play like Malaysia with the counter attack game. We need to play our style which is more controlled. And when we finally did that in the second half, we managed to get back into the game and win it", said Thailand head coach Pulpis.

On the other hand, Malaysia head coach Chiew Chun Yong said that the match was so close for us to win. We were missing something in the game and that is individual quality and also composure. We did not want to be defensive and the strategy almost worked. We have a lot of improvement to do before the AFC tournament next year.

After the final match, Thailand's player Muhammad Osmanmusa was named as the top scorer after scoring 13 goals during the tournament. Myanmar came in third place after beating host country Vietnam 4-3 on penalties after draw 2-2 in the real time.