Indonesia Edges Malaysia 3-2 to Reach Asian Games Badminton Semifinals
Ichinomiya, Japan. Indonesia advanced to the men's team badminton semifinals at the 2026 Asian Games after edging Malaysia 3-2 in a tense quarterfinal at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Tuesday, securing at least a bronze medal.
Moh Zaki Ubaidillah delivered the decisive point in the fifth and final match, defeating Malaysia's Eugene Ewe in straight games, 21-11, 21-11.
The victory completed a dramatic contest in which Indonesia twice had to respond after Malaysia fought back.
Indonesia suffered an early setback when world No. 1 Jonatan Christie lost the opening singles to Leong Jun Hao in three games. Jonatan took the opening game 22-20 before Leong rallied to win the next two 21-12, 21-17.
Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri then pulled Indonesia level at 1-1 with a three-game victory over Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin, winning 21-15, 19-21, 21-10.
Alwi Farhan put Indonesia ahead for the first time by defeating Justin Hoh 21-19, 21-19 in the second singles.
Malaysia refused to surrender, however, as Aaron Chia and Tee Kai Wun beat Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin in the second doubles. The Indonesian pair won the opening game 21-17, but their Malaysian opponents recovered to take the next two 21-16, 21-13, leveling the tie at 2-2.
That left Zaki carrying Indonesia's semifinal hopes into the deciding singles match.
The youngster responded emphatically, beating Ewe by identical 21-11 scores to seal Indonesia's 3-2 victory.
Zaki said he was grateful to complete the match without injury and acknowledged feeling considerable pressure, particularly because it was his first appearance at this year's Asian Games.
“The pressure was definitely very high because I hadn't played in the previous matches, and suddenly I was given the deciding match in the quarterfinals,” Zaki said.
“There was a responsibility that I had to fulfill by winning.”
Indonesia will face Thailand in Wednesday's semifinal after the Thai men's team defeated Chinese Taipei 3-1 in its quarterfinal on Tuesday.
Tags: Keywords:
as a preferred
Related Articles
Indonesia Wins Five Golds, Finishes 16th at Asian Games
Indonesia won five golds, 11 silvers and 23 bronzes at the Asian Games, surpassing its four-gold target but finishing 16th.
Historic Archery Gold Takes Indonesia Past Asian Games Target
Nurisa Dian Ashrifah won Indonesia’s first Asian Games archery gold, lifting the country to five golds and beyond its four-gold target.
Speed Climber Desak Made Wins Asian Games Gold by 0.002 Seconds
Indonesia’s Desak Made wins Asian Games speed climbing gold by 0.002 seconds after clocking 6.062 seconds in the final.
Leo, Daniel Fight Back to Claim Asian Games Badminton Gold
Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin rallied past China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang to win their second gold of the Asian Games.
Rahmat Erwin Wins Indonesia’s Second Gold at Asian Games
Rahmat Erwin Abdullah wins the men’s 75kg weightlifting gold at the 2026 Asian Games, edging Thailand’s Weeraphon Wichuma by 1 kilogram.
Three Matches, Three Defeats -- and an Asian Games Gold for Jonatan Christie
World No. 1 Jonatan Christie won Asian Games team gold despite losing all three of his matches and failing to score a point for Indonesia.
Indonesia End 28-Year Wait for Asian Games Men’s Badminton Gold
Indonesia rally from 0-2 down to beat China 3-2 and win their first Asian Games men’s team badminton gold since 1998.
Indonesia to Face China in Asian Games Men’s Team Badminton Final
Indonesia will face China for Asian Games men’s team badminton gold after beating Thailand 3-1 in the semifinals.
Indonesia Edges Malaysia 3-2 to Reach Asian Games Badminton Semifinals
Zaki Ubaidillah won the deciding match as Indonesia edged Malaysia 3-2 to reach the Asian Games men's team badminton semifinals.
Indonesia's Eugenia Diva Widodo Wins First Asian Games Medal With Wushu Bronze
Indonesia’s Eugenia Diva Widodo won bronze in women’s changquan at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, earning her first Asian Games medal.The Latest
UN Boss Wants to Fix Security Council as Indonesia Seeks Seat
Outgoing UN chief Guterres says the current permanent member setup at the Security Council fails to reflect today's realities.
Saudi Flagship Investment Conference Pushed to 2027 after Houthi Attacks
The annual Future Investment Initiative (FII), often dubbed "Davos in the Desert", was originally scheduled to take place from October 26-29
Government Sets Aside Rp 1.3 Quadrillion for Final-Quarter Spending
Government spending has reached Rp 2.66 quadrillion, equivalent to 69.2% of the full-year budget target of Rp 3.84 quadrillion.
Indonesia Probes 98 Corporate Wildfire Cases, Including Possible Foreign Links
Police investigate 98 corporate-related wildfire cases, including possible links to investors from neighboring countries.
Students Plan Jakarta Protests to Mark Two Years of Prabowo's Presidency
Police have advised the public to avoid areas around the House of Representatives complex, the National Monument and the State Palace.Most Popular
