I'm posting this entry on Aug 18, 2008, a day after our shuttler Lee Chong Wei's quest for the elusive Olympic gold medal was smashed to smithereens by the darling of the crowd who covered the court like a man possessed.
There are of course a number of theories and analysis behind Chong Wei's defeat. The cynics among us claimed he had made countless unforced errors in the final, making Lin Dan looked better than he actually was.
Others suggested nobody could have beaten Lin Dan on that night, not even when Prakash Padukone, Liem Swie King, Han Jian, Hariyanto Arbi, Poul Erik Hoyer Larsen, Yang Yang or Zhao Jianhua were at their elegant best! Lin Dan was that good, they said.
There were some who knew Lin Dan was more motivated than ever after his girlfriend Xie Xinfang succumbed to her older compatriot Zhang Ning in the women's singles final a day before.
Just for the record, Aug 17 2004, Chong Wei was beaten by Chen Hong in the second round in Athens. Misbun was quick to defend Chong Wei, by insisting that he was truly the nation's future flagbearer.
In the intervening years, Chong Wei certainly had proven Misbun right. I hope Chong Wei gets the chance of turning silver into gold in 2012.
In the meantime, badminton spared us the blushes yet again. It was the country's first medal after the 2000 and 2004 medal drought.
There are several issues that beg BA of Malaysia's immediate attention.
1. Should we split Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong who just a year ago were beating the daylights out of almost everybody?
2. Did BAM make a mistake in sending veteran pair Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah at the expense of the younger and hungrier pair of Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Abd Latiff?
3. Can Rexy Mainaky be retained at all costs?
4. Will there be a shake-up in the coaching set-up?
Nadzmi and BAM were given a rollicking by Azalina Othman Said following the Tragedy in Goudi four years ago. Misbun's salary was deducted because Azalina's advisers thought he was not doing enough.
Expect changes to be made soon.
20 comments:
Bro.
Interesting comments on Chong Wei.
Please read this too:
http://24abib.blogspot.com/2008/08/outclassed.html
There’s no amount of money or cars or whatever can replace the glory of being hail as Olympic champion with the gold medal around one’s neck. In my head, that pretty much ruled out the match fixing thingy. Unless of course………no, I don’t think there was a match fixing, especially not after reading the article of sacrifices being made by Misbun and his wife.
I think Lin Dan is way too good (and it was not Chong Wei’s lucky day). I have no idea how much amount of time he spent to study Chong Wei but he just can know where to go and where to strike before Chong Wei even moved! It’s like basketball or american football where they have predetermined alternatives for every opponent’s gameplay and tactics.
Of course, all of us wanted him to win the gold, but I’m ok with the silver. Last time, Rashid won bronze and now Chong Wei won silver, London Olympics for gold perhaps?
~pineapple pie
bro,
care to elaborate more on the rumour?
may i just second your 2nd question? ;p
2. Did BAM make a mistake in sending veteran pair Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah at the expense of the younger and hungrier pair of Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Abd Latiff?
YUP! think they should've sent the younger duo .. it isn't about seniority, it is about WINNING a medal. any medal. and personally, i reckon those young lads who have been hungrier to win than the old-timers.
just my 7-cent worth *grin*
Following Malaysia's failure to win a gold medal in Beijing, the cabinet has decided to recuit foreigners to represent the country in the 2012 Olympics.
If Anwar Ibrahim forms the government, expect to see Tyson Gay sprinting for us in London.
If Najib is in power, he will recruit Naidan Tuvshinbayar, who won Mongolia's first ever gold medal via judo.
f Tengku Razaleigh wins control after the UMNO elections, he will get Thai boxers.
The only fear is, that may be in London not as Malaysia but as Semangat 2012. :-D
Following Malaysia's failure to win a gold medal in Beijing, the cabinet has decided to recuit foreigners to represent the country in the 2012 Olympics.
If Anwar Ibrahim forms the government, expect to see Tyson Gay sprinting for us in London.
If Najib is in power, he will recruit Naidan Tuvshinbayar, who won Mongolia's first ever gold medal via judo.
f Tengku Razaleigh wins control after the UMNO elections, he will get Thai boxers.
The only fear is, that may be in London not as Malaysia but as Semangat 2012. :-D
Hehehe... Welcome to Malaysia.. In case you didn't know, this is the land of Revamp, Restructure, Remand and Recycle.
Just ask FAM, BAM and MSN. 'Massive' restructuring should be on the way... Except, you can expect to find more or less the same faces being moved around, yet again.
Oh, and this is also the land of Fix, Kautim, Close One Eye and Give Face.. Right?
On court on that final night, Chong Wei was already a player whose mindset was frayed to the very extreme. The court belongs to Lin Dan and China. The crowd was baying for his blood. On the night, Lin Dan was at his peak. He was untouchable, supreme in his skills and the expectation of the politburo and 1 billion plus human beings perched on his shoulders. Maybe a Taufik Hidayat in his sublime prime would be the perfect opponent. Chong Wei is good, very good but not on par with the chinese ace when he is on song. Accept the fact and give praise to our man who went the distance but he is just a step below the gods.
fowler...
if pak lah stay on as PM?....
Brothers,
One silver is good enough. It is not easy to get. The burning desire to win is there for every sportsman. Match fixing only in Malysian football and hockey team.We salute for his courage. We have to thank Misbun and his wife. the same goes to Datuk Zul MSN and Dr. Ramlan ISN. Keep it up. The nation salutes you all.
Sporting spirit
Brothers,
One silver is good enough. It is not easy to get. The burning desire to win is there for every sportsman. Match fixing only in Malysian football and hockey team.We salute for his courage. We have to thank Misbun and his wife. the same goes to Datuk Zul MSN and Dr. Ramlan ISN. Keep it up. The nation salutes you all.
Sporting spirit
Lin Dan was too good that night and Chong Wei was a little bit nervous (it showed that night!).
Misbun did his best as a coach. When his charges play on court, he could not do much if they were nervous or below par. Only pray.
Yes, BAM should send in the younger pair of Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Abd Latiff to the tournament.
If they lose, it's a great experience for them to prepare for the next big tournament. If they win, it's a bonus.
I propose that BAM retain Misbun at all costs. He is a great coach, and even foreign TV commentators have paid tribute to him. And, please give him some bonus for guiding Chong Wei to the final.
Banda Hilir, Melaka
bro
Pada pandangan pribadi saya BAM perlu ada perubahan dalam banyak faktor:
1) sepatutnya pasangan Kien Keat dengan tan boleh di lupakan atau di gandingkan dengan pasangan yang lain. Tahap pencapaian mereka sudah maksima, atau pun di rehatkan dahulu biar mereka lupakan pasangan masing-masing.
Tan dan kien kiat tak merupakan pasangan yg ideal, walau pun mereka tak sebulu dalam gelanggang begitu juga dengan semangat yg mereka tunjukkan tak sepenuhnya. Cuba kita lihat ada chia sson keat dengan pasangannya pada masa tu mereka di luar tak sebulu tapi bila dlm gelanggang semangat juang yg di tunjukkan 100%
2) sepatutnya pasangan veteran kita tidak bawa ke Olimpik, lagi pun kecederaan menghantui mereka. pasangan Fairuzizuan Tazari-Zakry Abd Latiff tengah meletup so kita patut berikan mereka peluang. Kita tengok macam mana semangat juang yg mereka tunjukkan di singapore open
Masalah dengan BAM mereka takut untuk ketengahkan muka-muka baru, jangan sampai nanti bila dah tak ada pemain lain baru kita nak ketengahkan muka baru.
3) Kejurulatihan dalam BAM juga perlu di lakukan sedikit rombakkan, biar supaya setiap jurulatih di pertanggung jawabkan dengan 4 pemain atau 2 pasangan sahaja. Dengan ini jurulatih berkenaan dapat membentuk dengan lebih tumpuan.
4) Banyakkan lagi kelab-kelab seperti nusa mahsuri dan kbkl ini akan menambahkan lagi kelompok@ pemain yg lebih berbakat.
5)Ujudkan satu penel pemilihan dan kejurulatihan yang betul2 profesional dan akan menganalisa setiap pemain dalam jangkamasa setiap 2 minggu. Panel ini merangkumi akan pakar saikology, kecergasan, tektikal, pemakanan dan sain sukan (Biomakanik)
Kita kena lebih profesional dan teratur dalam membangunkan sukan badminton ini.
Kemudahan dan kepakaran tidak di gunakan sepenuhnya di MSN atau pun ISN.Tidak ada satru unit di MSN mahu pun ISN yang berkerjasama dengan persatuan sukan untuk buat satu kajian pembangunan (R&D) sesaorang atlit itu
Corak latihan dan kemajuan sesuatu sukan itu perlu di ubah suai bila sampai masanya, jangan kita terlalu mempertahankan akan apa yang telah kita buat selama ini ( this is what we do before) sepatutnya konsep ini tak boleh di guna pakai lagi, we have to move
tq bro
To answer your questions
1) Better split them now and prepare some other younger pairs to retain double gold medal in Asia Games 2012. Assign KKK & TBH as Mixed Double player
2) I don’t think so. Zakry / Fairuz are not up to the mark yet. Keep and guide them (through proper coaching) and I’m sure they can become our top pair in near future.
3) Keep Rexy!!! He’s sincere in doing his job
4) BAM should get more capable and experience single coaches as the existing crop are more as ‘sparring partner’ to our single players.
Fowler is no God, even if that brother of great hockey players thinks so..
Anyway, whoever becomes or remains as Prime Minister, one thing is sure, the politicians in sport will only import those talents from which their connections and those who form 'ideal' partnerships with them recommend, not the real deal.
Which athlete that we imported thus far has managed to really deliver?
In that sense, tiny Singapore is doing a better job. They bought talents which won them an Olympic silver medal, even if the entire women's table tennis team were Chinese. Their swimmer Tao Li made the final of her event.
Where's our Irina Maharani n.k.a. Ishvari Devi something... Hidayat Hamidon??? Yuan Yufang starts the 20km walk tomorrow not even expecting to be in the top 20.
Again, it is not about doing it. It is about doing it right.
How can we even begin to learn how to do it right when we've God people here hailing a mediocre talent like Fowler as God???!!!
A message to the Minister of Sports,
When we came back empty handed from Athens, a cabinet committee was formed to come up with a plan for Sports Development. They did well when they came up with a steering committee to lead 8 Core Sports on a development programme. We were seeing of sports activities in schools and coaches education programmes were being implemented by professionals. Before we could see the fruits of this program....A couple of officials (adminstrators) decide for thsemselves that the program will have to be abandoned (this was done without the knowledge of the Cabinet Commitee nor the Steering Com.) Centres were closed down and wild accusations were thrown...What could have been a plan is now refurbished into something that is being decided by adminstrators trained in agriculture...GOD BLESS MALAYSIAN SPORTS as long we have these clowns running sports in this country....Mr. Minister sir, I beg give sports back to the sportsmen so that we may share it....
1) Misbun shld get 'datukship' also and appointed of head coach of malaysian team. Rashid isn't ready;
2) Koo Kien Kiat shld be changed to mix double...since his ego is damned high. Not listening to coach advise. At least he can feel 'macho' enuff to go all over the court;
3) Fairuz-Zakry should be in Beijing! No doubt....
4) Rexy MUST stay...
epain,
if Pak Lah stays on then ... we have Sleeplympics lah
as for arnaz, sigh, accept it lah, Fowler is God but Torres is the new Almighty.
YNWA
Bang ... your last bits about Sports Minster YBD Azalina ... acted on the advice of her advisor about Misbun not doing enough work ... potong gaji / allowance ... well on a general note then we should have all the minister's gaji / allowances cut also ... including Pak Lah's for not doing enough also ... so many things left to be desired! Kalau terlelap pula macamana? Came from house of highest order ...sigh!! Hmmmm .... lets all ponder ya!
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