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Indonesian paddlers stopped in semifinals
The Indonesian men’s table tennis team failed to advance to the final after losing 3-1 to Thailand in the semifinals at the National Sports Complex in Vientiane on Thursday
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he Indonesian men’s table tennis team failed to advance to the final after losing 3-1 to Thailand in the semifinals at the National Sports Complex in Vientiane on Thursday.
It was an unwanted repeat of the last SEA Games in Thailand, where Muhammad Hussein crashed in the semifinals against Singapore.
Watched by contingent chief Alex Noerdin, Indonesia fell 2-0, Antara reported, after Yon Mardiono lost 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 to Phakpoom Sanguasin and Husein to Puchong Sanguasin 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9.
David Jacob reduced the gap to 2-1 with an 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8 win over Chaisit Chaitat.
However, Hussein, in his second match failed to make up for his earlier loss. He won the first set before losing out 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-9.
It was a double loss for Indonesia following the failure by the women's squad, who exited the group after taking three 3-0 losses.
Coach Ismu Haryanto was disappointed, saying the players had fared no better than two years ago.
The former national star blamed the players’ overexcitement.
“It wasn’t about technique, but psychology. Yon shouldn’t have lost three straight games,” he said.
Lack of international practice was also a factor, he said, especially the need to shape their psychology.
“Indonesian players still can’t get through the critical moments. That’s what distinguishes our players from, for example, Gao Ning. He looks calm in a critical situation,” he said, referring to the Singapore team ace. Indonesia lost to Singapore in the group match.
