Stage is set for Axiata Cup semi-finals in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur – Badminton News
The richest team event in badminton history, the Axiata Cup has entered the semi-final round and the top four teams will be fighting for glory in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur from March 30, 2012.
Indonesia and Malaysia are everywhere in the semi-final round as both countries have two teams each in the top fours.
The semi-finals of the first million-dollar team event, the Axiata Cup will be played on home and away format which means the semi-finalists will play two matches against each other.
The fantastic four, who have earned their right to be in the semi-finals, are Malaysia Leopards, Malaysia Tigers, Indonesia Garuda and Indonesia Rajawali.
Earlier, the schedule was also announced and Indonesia Garuda is going to start its marathon against Malaysia Tigers in Jakarta Britama Arena Sports Mall on March 30.
Indonesia Garuda, which comprises former World and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat, the World Number nine shuttler Simon Santoso and Olympic champion couple Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan, will be looking to pocket the full benefits of home ground advantage.
According to the draws, Cheras Badminton stadium Kuala Lumpur will see Malaysia Leopards locking horns with Indonesia Rajawali on March 31, 2012.
Both teams are packed with young talented shuttlers who are in high spirits after performing extremely well against their seniors.
In second leg of the semi-final round Malaysia Leopards will again face Indonesia Rajawali in Jakarta on April 1, 2012 while the Malaysia Tigers also will be testing its skills against Indonesia Garuda in Kuala Lumpur on the same day.
Malaysia Tigers is expected to have the skipper Lee Chong Wei back in the team only if his injured shoulder allows him to swing his arms otherwise the World Number 28 Daren Liew and veteran shuttler Hafiz Hashim will shoulder the responsibility to escort
their country to glory.
Meanwhile, the Men’s doubles team Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong will also try to find their lost form in the semi-finals.
Axiata Cup is offering a lucrative amount of $100,000 to every semi-finalist but both countries will be aiming for the final tussle where the winner will pocket a handsome amount of $400,000 and runners-up will go home with $200,000 cash prize.
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