JAKARTA: Shuttler Vivian Hoo is one cool customer.
While the entire crowd was against her at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno, the 19-year-old pencil-thin Vivian stayed calm to combine superbly with Woon Khe Wei to win the solitary point in Malaysia’s 3-1 defeat by Indonesia in the team semi-final on Saturday.
They had beaten Indonesia’s top pair of Anneke Feinya-Nitya Krishinda Maheswari in a one-hour and 21-minute marathon but a twist of fate may see both pairs cross path again early in the individual competition, which begins today.
In the draw released yesterday, Indonesian Open Grand Prix champions Vivian-Khe Wei are expected to meet the Indonesian duo in the quarter-finals – an encounter worthy of being the final.
Vivian has vowed to remain unperturbed by the hostile surroundings as she sharpens her claws in a bid to defy the odds.
“This is my first SEA Games and what a great exposure it has been so far. I didn’t let the fans intimidate me and I plan to do the same in the individual meet,” said Vivian.
“The match against the Indonesian pair will be a close one again. Khe Wei and I must not make silly mistakes and play confidently – just like the other day.”
Vivian-Khe Wei are seen as the only pair with a chance of winning a gold medal at the Games as the others may find the Indonesian and Thai shuttlers too big a challenge.
The Thai women are really buoyed by their 3-1 win over Indonesia for the gold medal while the men will be just as big a threat after their 3-2 defeat in another marathon match.
In the men’s singles, both Liew Daren and Mohd Arif Abdul Latif may return home without any medals as they are likely to play top seed Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso of Indonesia respectively.
It will be equally tough for Malaysia in the men’s doubles as Mak Hee Chun-Ong Soon Hock are set to face top seeds Mohd Ahsan-Bona Septano of Indonesian in the quarter-finals while Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem are likely to meet Thailand’s Bodin Isara-Maneepong Jonjit.
The Thai pair beat Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia in the team tie.
It will be tough for Malaysia in the women’s singles and mixed doubles as Thailand’s Inthanon Ratchanok and Indonesia’s Ahmad Tantowi-Lilyana Natsir are the heavy favourites.
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