Reserve Squad Wins All Numbers

QINGDAO, TUESDAY – For athletes from three events, the match against Hong Kong in the Asian Mixed Team Badminton Championships became a moment to showcase their abilities without their seniors. They learned to take responsibility when relied upon to secure victories for the team.

The moment was achieved at Qingdao Conson Gymnasium, China, on Tuesday (11/2/2025). Hong Kong became Indonesia's first opponent in the Group B competition, aside from Malaysia, which will be faced in the match on Thursday. Besides Indonesia, a 5-0 victory was also achieved by South Korea, which faced Macau in Group D.

The Asian Championship is one of the continental championships, besides those in Europe, Oceania, Africa, and Pan America, which serves as a qualifying event for the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China, from April 27 to May 4. Therefore, the competition among the 12 teams in the Asian Championship is similar to the Sudirman Cup, featuring men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, as well as mixed doubles. In the group stage, all events must be played.

With three teams competing in a round-robin format in each group, a victory in the first match becomes an important asset for the subsequent games. Indonesia can secure a top-two position in the group, which is a requirement to advance to the quarter-finals, if Malaysia wins against Hong Kong on Wednesday. However, regardless of the outcome of the match between those two teams, the Indonesian players have at least gained confidence after a 5-0 win over Hong Kong.

Men's singles player, Alwi Farhan, was greatly affected by that victory. Moreover, Alwi defeated Ng Ka Long Angus, a more experienced player in the BWF World Tour tournament.

As in the previous two meetings, when both players shared victories, the competition in the third Indonesia-Hong Kong match went to three games. Alwi won with a score of 21-12, 18-21, 21-19 after playing for one hour and 11 minutes, which was the longest duration of the five matches.

One of the indicators of the tight competition occurred in the deciding game when the score often differed by only one to three points. The furthest margin, which was four points, only happened at the beginning of the game when Alwi led 4-0.

When he finally managed to secure the final score of 20-19, Alwi expressed his emotions by shouting several times while clenching his fists, as if he had won a tournament. He was not only relieved because he brought Indonesia to a 3-0 lead, but also because he was able to fulfill his responsibility as the number one men's singles player on the team.

Here, there is definitely a burden for us in the men's singles, but this is part of the process to become better and more mature.

Alwi, who is ranked 43rd in the world, and Yohanes Saut Marcellyno (63) are the two men's singles players who are trusted to strengthen Indonesia in the biennial championship in this odd year. Although they have played in other team championships, such as the Men's and Women's Team Asia Championships and the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cups, this is the first time Alwi has become the first men's singles player.

At the 2024 Asian Championships, Alwi was under Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo. When the Indonesian Thomas Cup team reached the final in the same year, two other more senior players, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Jonatan Christie, were the backbone of the men's singles. In the 2024 Thomas Cup, Alwi played once as the third singles in the group stage.

“It does feel a bit different in this championship. Usually, Bang Saut and I are guided by our seniors, such as Kak Chico, Koh Jonatan, or Aa Ginting. Here, there is definitely a burden for us in the men's singles, but this is part of the process to be better and more mature,” commented Alwi.

Alwi experienced his first men's singles experience when competing in the 2023 Junior Mixed Team Championship (Suhandinata Cup) and led Indonesia to become champions. The athlete who is currently 19 years old completed it by becoming the junior men's singles champion.

The win over Ng gave Alwi confidence and adaptability on the field if he is deployed against Malaysia, which is strengthened by Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh in the men's singles. Alwi has never faced Leong and is ahead 3-2 over Hoh, who has competed since junior days.

Before Alwi played, Indonesia was leading 2-0 thanks to the wins of Rinov Rivaldy/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati and Putri Kusumawardani in the first and second matches. Although not facing Hong Kong's best mixed doubles ranked fifth in the world, namely Tang Chun Man/Tse Ying Suet, Rinov/Lisa played tightly against Lui Chun Wai/Fu Chi Yan.

Rinov/Lisa, who have been paired since early 2025, even made the Indonesian team nervous when the 19-13 advantage in the third game changed to 19-19. Through a fast game, they took the next two points and won 18-21, 21-8, 21-19.

Rinov, who was chosen as team captain by his teammates, did not deny that playing in the team championship was more tense than the individual championship. The moment towards the end of the third game was an example. "We were under pressure, but we were able to overcome it. In the team championship, we have to learn to get out of that situation," said Rinov.

Putri, who is the mainstay of the women's singles in the absence of Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, started her performance in Qingdao well. She won 21-8, 21-15 over Yeung Sum Yee. Putri hopes to continue to contribute to victories every time she is sent, especially since the 22-year-old athlete is always happy every time she gets the chance to play in a team event.

Indonesia's advantage increased through the women's and men's doubles through Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti/Lanny Tria Mayasari and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Daniel Marthin. Fadia/Lanny defeated Lui Lok Lok/Tsang Hiu Yan 21-15, 21-17, while Fikri/Daniel won over Law Cheuk Him/Yeung Shing Choi 21-19, 21-23, 21-8.

"From the match earlier, we have to focus from the beginning to the end if we play again in the next match. We must not be careless and rush," said Daniel.

Together with Fikri, his duet partner since August 2024, Daniel became the best men's doubles in the "Red and White" Team because there were no seniors, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto. A tougher opponent for Fikri/Daniel or Rahmat Hidayat/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan will be faced when playing against Malaysia. The opposing team brought Man Wei Chong/Tee kai Wun, champions of the Indonesia Masters, in January.