Markis Kido hopes to see both Indonesian teams in the final of Axiata Cup
The Men’s doubles specialist Markis Kido is hoping to see both Indonesian teams Garuda and Rajawali in the final of Axiata Cup which is slated for April 13-15.
Both teams performed extremely well in the round robin matches against their Malaysian opponents and successfully managed to avoid a semi-final clash between the compatriots.
Now Indonesia Garuda is up against Malaysia Tigers while Indonesia Rajawali will face Malaysia Leopards in the semi-finals to be played in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur from March 31, 2012.
The B team of Indonesia, Rajawali thrashed Malaysia Tigers, which comprises prime shuttlers the World Number 32 Hafiz Hashim, the World Number 28 Daren Liew and the veteran duo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
The Men’s doubles expert Markis Kido believes that these youngsters can repeat the show against relatively weak contenders in the semi-final.
He said, “The young shuttlers in the Rajawali team, especially Angga and Rian, have been playing really well, so I think they will be strong in the semifinal.”
Indonesia Garuda finished the opening round race by standing at first place in Group J. They overpowered the young squad of Malaysia with great ease and emerged as toppers with a decent 3-0 win over their rivals.
The second round robin match between Indonesia Rajawali and Malaysia Tigers turned crucial as the defeat meant two Indonesian teams against each other in the top-four round but Rajawali surpassed the danger with a 2-1 victory over their experienced rivals.
The member of reigning Olympic champion duo Markis Kido, who is also part of Garuda team, thinks the junior team has set an example for them and they will rise against their opponents in the semi-final to set up all-Indonesian final.
He said. “Their victory over the Tigers, of course, gives us more motivation to be able to win against the Malaysians in the semifinals. I think an all-Indonesian final in this tournament is very likely to happen.”
The semi-finals will be played on home-and-away format and every semi-finalist is going to get a heavy amount of $100,000 while the finalists of the Axiata Cup will fight for $400,000 and $200,000 cash prizes for winners and runners-up respectively.
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