PETALING JAYA: Indonesia showed they can rely on their third singles as debutant Moh Zaki Ubaidillah saved the 14-time champions’ blushes by delivering the winning point in their Group D tie at the Thomas Cup Finals.
Yesterday, the 18-year-old defeated Thailand’s Tanawat Yimjit 21-11, 21-12 in the deciding match to hand Indonesia a hard-fought 3-2 win in a tie that stretched close to six hours at Forum Horsens.
Earlier, Jonatan Christie and Alwi Farhan went down fighting in their respective singles matches.
Jonatan fell 16-21, 22-20, 20-22 to Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a marathon lasting one hour and 28 minutes, while Alwi suffered a surprise 21-14, 17-21, 16-21 defeat to Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul.
Indonesia, however, reigned supreme in the doubles despite making tactical changes.
They moved second pair Sabar Karyaman-Moh Reza to the first doubles slot, and the duo justified the decision by beating Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn–Worrapol Thongsa-nga 21-17, 21-18.
Skipper Fajar Alfian was then paired with 20-year-old Nikolaus Joaquin, and the scratch combination rose to the occasion to beat Peeratchai Sukphun–Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 19-21, 21-17, 25-23 in a thrilling match that lasted one hour and 19 minutes.
Indonesia are virtually through to the quarter-finals and will face France to complete their group fixtures.
France had earlier lost to Thailand in their opening tie.
