Indonesia Rajawali Tame Malaysia Tigers To Top Group K

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- Fancied Malaysia Tigers lost to the Indonesian back up squad Indonesia Rajawali 1-2 in an Axiata Cup Group K round robin match at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras here Sunday. Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, the 2003 All England champion who stepped into the shoes of the top seed due to an injury to world number one Lee Chong Wei, lost to unknown Indonesian Hayom Rumbaka 21-16, 18-21, 10-21 in a tame affair. Much heralded doubles pair and former All England doubles champions Koo Kean Kiet/Tan Boon Heong also failed to live up to expectations by going down to Angga Pratama/Rian Agung Saputro in three sets, 10-21, 21-18, 21-13. Only the heroics of Liew Daren saved Malaysia total embarrassment when he prevented a whitewash by beating Shesar Hiren Rhustavito 21-19, 21-13. The win over the Malaysia Tigers meant Indonesia Rajawali tops Group K while Malaysia Tigers finish second. Meanwhile, at the Senayan Indoor Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia Garuda also topped Group J by sweeping aside Malaysia Leopards 3-0. Malaysia Tigers will now meet Indonesia Garuda in the semifinals while Malaysia Leopards take on Indonesia Rajawali in the other semifinal in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta respectively. The inaugural Axiata Cup offers a whopping USD1 million (RM3.1 million) in prize money. -- BERNAMA