For the first time in 44 years, there will be an all-Indonesian final in the men's badminton doubles at the Asian Games.

This year will see a repeat of the 1974 Games in Tehran, when doubles pair Tjun and Johan Wahjudi beat their compatriots Christian Hadinata and Ade Chandra in the final.

World number one pair Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo will face Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto on Tuesday at the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex to fight for the gold medal.

Indonesia had a chance to create another all-Indonesian final in the men’s singles after Jonatan Christie beat Japanese Kenta Nishimoto 21-15, 15-21, 21-19 in a dramatic match. However, compatriot Anthony Sinisuka Ginting let slip the opportunity, bowing out to Chinese Taipei world number six Chou Tienchen 16-21, 23-21, 21-17.

Fajar and Rian made spectators explode in jubilation when they defeated world number two pair Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen of China 21-14, 19-21, 21-13.

The Indonesian world number 9 duo crushed the Chinese “twin towers” — a nickname given by their fans because of their heights — in a 47-minute match.

Fajar said coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, who just celebrated his birthday on Aug. 21, helped the pair secure the game.

"Koh [big brother] Herry suggested we implement a tactic in which we don't make too many lob shots, but drive shots, to make the opponents nervous," Fajar said after the match.

Fajar said he was so grateful and proud to continue his Asian Games journey to the final.

He added that the pair was determined to win the gold medal against veterans Kevin and Gideon in the final on Tuesday.

Should they win the gold, both Fajar and Rian said they would use the prize money to pay for their parents' haj pilgrimages.

The government has promised to give a bonus of Rp 1.5 billion (US$103,500) to Asian Games gold medalists.

Kevin and Gideon — dubbed the Minions by badminton fans — advanced to the final after beating Chinese Taipei's Lee Jhehuei and Lee Yang 21-15, 20-22, 21-12.

Despite being forced to battle their compatriots, Kevin and Gideon said they would do their best to win.

"We will fight. We want the gold medal. We will do our best," Gideon said.

Coach Herry finally breathed a sigh of relief with the semifinal results.

He thanked his four athletes for giving him a gold and a silver medal as a birthday gift.

"I will enjoy the game tomorrow. I will sit on the spectators' tribune while sipping my coffee. After that, I will evaluate their performance," Herry said, with a smile.

Jonatan was two points away from claiming victory when he argued with Taipei umpire Chen Chih Shen who did not grant his request to mop the court floor.

He then mopped the floor with his own towel, prompting the umpire to give him a yellow card.

The warning was of no consequence as Jonatan was able to capitalize on Kenta's errors and win the game.

Jonatan said after the game that he was so grateful he could continue to the final.

"To compete in an individual competition in the Asian Games will be a new experience for me," Jonatan said.

The women’s final will pit Tai Tzuying of Chinese Taipei, who beat Saina Nehwal of India, 21-17, 21-14, against Sindhu Pusarla of India, who defeated Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 21-17, 15-21, 21-10.

The women’s doubles will see Chinese pair Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan play against Japan’s Misaki Matsumoto and Ayaka Takahashi.

Chinese duo Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong will play Chinese Taipei pair Tang Chu Man and Tse Ying Suet in the mixed doubles final.

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