ASEAN Schools Badminton: Thailand overwhelm Singapore 5-0 in both Boys’ and Girls’ events

Story by Stefanus Ian/Red Sports. Photos by Tan Jon Han/Red Sports

Yio Chu Kang Sports Hall, Sunday, July 3, 2011 — The Singapore shuttlers were swept aside by their Thailand counterparts 5-0 in the preliminary rounds of both the Boys’ and Girls’ team categories in the 3rd ASEAN Schools Games.

Thailand, the first runners-up in the Girls’ category last year, were relentless against the Singaporeans as they won most of their matches in straight games. Nevertheless, the local athletes fought hard as they were spurred on by more than a hundred student supporters.

The second singles match between Singapore’s Ong Cheng Yuen and Thailand’s Thanadol perhaps summed up the day for Singapore. After losing the first game 21-16, Cheng Yuen came into the second game throwing caution to the wind as he stormed to an aggressive 9-4 lead.

Thanadol refused to buckle as he caught up before Cheng Yuen pulled away again to lead 15-9. Cheng Yuen’s early lead proved fatal for Thanadol as the 18-year-old Singaporean wrapped up the second game 21-16 to give Singapore their first game for Sunday.

In the rubber game, Thanadol regained his composure and blitzed to a 10-2 lead. Cheng Yuen was visibly exhausted at this point. His overexertion during the second game meant that he was running on empty near the end of the match. Thanadol used this to his advantage as he sent the Singaporean player all over the court with his well placed shots.

Nevertheless, the Raffles Institution student never gave up as he chased down every shot. Alas, it was not to be as the Thai finished off the match 21-8.

Cheng Yuen admitted that his opponent was physically fitter than him at the end.

“I had no stamina and my physical fitness was not as good as him,” he said. “[However,] I will always fight for every point and do my best even though I am losing because you never know, a miracle could happen.”

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