Malaysia is The Axiata Cup 2013 Champion!

by Daniel Chiam

Yesterday was my first time attended a live badminton finals match and it was for the Axiata Cup 2013 between Thailand and our very own team Malaysia! It was indeed an awesome experience. The atmosphere of being there personally to witness and to cheer along with the Malaysian supporters is really priceless.

The dude standing on the left was super excited for every performances in between matches.

The first match between Thai's Ratchanok Inthanon and Malaysia's Sonia Cheah was a blow to the home supporters because Ratchanok clearly dominated the match and with so many mistakes by Sonia, the first point of the night goes to Thailand. Ratchanok really played very well that night.

The second match was between the mix doubles Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee T against Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon. I have to say it was the most interestingly intense match to watch on that night. It was definitely the match that pleases the crowd the most. The long rally, exchanging smashes and fast pace of the game really got the crowd cheering and standing on their feet to cheer on our national heroes.

The last time I met Dato' Lee Chong Wei was last year when I got the opportunity to send him off at the airport to London for the Olympic 2012. Axiata Cup 2013 finals was my first time seeing the man himself playing live before my eyes. The match was clearly dominated by the world's number one and Thai's Tanongsak clearly had an experience disadvantage when facing Dato' LCW. 

Nonetheless, Dato' LCW's decision to play for the Malaysia's team in the finals was overwhelmed by the supporters and the whole night the crowd was cheering and chanting his name. At some point of the time, they event cheered for his newborn son's name - Kingston!

The passionate Malaysia's supporters that sit in front of me.

The last match of the night was the men's double between Boonsak Ponsana and Songphon A against Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong. It was clearly a win for Malaysia when half way through the game you realize our men's double are more experience than the Thais. 

To me that night was just simply amazing. It was the supporters that fascinates me the most. They kept on cheering and cheering and cheering the whole night. I was thinking when are they going to stopped, and they never did till the very last minute when Malaysia finally won the final. I am really glad and happy to be apart of that loud and noisy supporter that night.

Thank you again Axiata for the tickets and of course to Nuffnang for an experience that's going to be hard to forget.

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

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