So Near yet so Far

It has been 5 days since the Thomas Cup Finals. Malaysia lost 2-3 to Japan. Should we be happy that we exceeded the target by reaching the finals or should we be sad that we should have won the title against Japan.

I was eagerly waiting for this match. I never sat down for 6 hours for a programme, but here I did for the patriotism.

There were even rumors, this could be his last Thomas cup. But he was really professional and proved he is the real world number 1 by the style of his play and also his professionalism on the court.

As expected, Datuk Lee got the 1st point in straight sets, although he looked nervous during the 2nd set.

Then came, the 1st doubles. Our strategy was to win 1 single and 2 doubles. When the 1set commence, our doubles looks powerful and the japanese looks really nervous. As expected, we won it. But when it comes to 2nd set, the blunder started, where silly mistakes were made and there were miscommunication between Hoo and Tan. Hoo's smashes were powerful, which totally eliminate the feeling that he is plump. They lost the 2nd set and when comes to 3rd set, they were close by 1 point but lost the game by 21-19, which was a heartdown for all the Malaysians.

Next match Chong wei feng shoulders the burden and he was against former world junior champion, momota. momota beat the Chinese and danish top en-route to finals. Momota proved his is too strong for wei feng and he is upcoming star for the Badminton world. Perhaps, if Datuk lee played against momota would have been a good match. Wei feng just look helpless and lost in straight sets.

The score is now 2-1. When Malaysians were almost loosing hope, Goh and Tan, came as savior by giving a gusti fight and winning the match in rubber sets. They really fight till the end and made the score 2-2.

Now Darren Liew, the captain shoulders the weight of the entire nation. He is lower ranked compared to Ueda, but their skills are almost the same. Only difference was Ueda was mentally prepared and I saw lacking on Darren. The 1st set, Darren was like a punching bag, but he showed a strong come back which nobody expected. Then it goes to rubber set.

Even YB KJ came down to the players seating and was really sporting to cheer and support the team. He was not even sitting on the chair but was standing for the last 2 sets. I doubt any other minister would do.

When comes to final set, looks like Darren was out of gas, he tried to attack but Ueda was strong and beat him by 21-17.

There goes the Thomas cup to land of sunrise for the 1st time. Now Japan joins the elite team, which also increases the expectation, as they will also contend for the championship, apart from China, Indonesia, Denmark, South Korea and Malaysia.

It took us 12 years to reach finals. Maybe it will take another 12 years to win the cup too. Having confidence in the doubles, singles is always a question mark.

  

Sultan Azlan Shah Passed away

 I know his as king of Malaysia and President of Malaysian Hockey Federation. He was also the sponsor of the Law faculty building in University Malaya.

Tuesday Humor

Weekly Quotes

Organ Donation Run - 24 May'14

It was my first night run for the year. It's even memorable, the run is happening in my campus where I graduated. I reached there early, and did warm up with Murali and Sheela.

The race started late by 10 minutes. As the race started, I tried to get myself out of the slow running group and went to the leading pack. After 500M, there was a natures call, and i decided to stop for 10-15 seconds. By that time, 20 of them would have overtaken me. After I continued, I started to overtake 1 by 1.

As the race was assisted by FTAA, there were no issues on marshals. I knew the route will be tough as there are 2 hills (back to back) and another at finishing. The 1st hill really slowed me down and allowed some runners to overtake me. But I manage to overtake them at the downhill and closed the gap.

When reaching the 2nd loop, there were few runners again overtook me, and I just followed them behind. It was good that there were 2 water stations. When comes to 2nd lap, i increased my pace and as usual, when comes to hill, there were few over takings.

It was helped by the junior boys and girls whom just need to do 1 lap and they ran with us at the 2nd lap. Although I couldn't follow their pace, but i continued to push myself at the uphill. When the downhill started, there no more turning back, I increased my pace. Assisted with music played at 10th college, gave me additional boost.

When I came to 3rd college, I overtook 1 runner, and continued to increase my pace and overtook another at the sceince faculty. I was thinking we would go straight to DTC, but we went through the same was as we ran the 1st loop. At library, another 2 runner were overtaken and come engineering faculty, another runner was slashed too.

After the 2nd college junction, it's a sprint for me as i don't want to be overtaken by anyone and pushed through the last hill and went crossed the finishing line at DTC.

I felt like vomiting, perhaps, I pushed 110%. I was given number 10, then medal, gift box, food pack and water.  Then I meet ms.selvi from FTAA, and she told me top 10 will get prize and hamper. Then, I relook at the gift box and realise, it was written 10 and there was 2 medals in the bag.

I went to ask the organising team, and they said, only top 3 will go to the stage and the rest will be given at finishing line. Perhaps, all of us could have been honored on the stage. There were also no water station/booth at the finishing lane.

My timing was 57:55. I wont say it's my best but I have given my best for my current form. The medal gave me motivation to train harder. Furthermore, I'm getting top 10 after 3 years and more sweeter, it was at my home were I graduated.

Panda saga

I don't really understand why we really need this pandas now. don't we have other animals in the zoo, which we need to take care. In addition, why don't we give the fund to the schools and the poor people for their daily expense.

In addition, the minister is so stupid, by saying, it will save rakyat's cost to go to china to see the panda. damn it, why don't u bring polar bear then.

Slower Immigration

5 years ago, when I renewed my passport, it took only 10 minutes for application and i come o next day to collect which took 20 minutes. I really appreciated Malaysian government whom made things effective and I don't need to take ;eave from office.

Now looks like we are going backwards, as the immigration came back to manual processing, where we need to take number, then submit documents and do payment then collect passport. it took almost 4 hours.

I just wonder, when all countries are moving forward, why are we moving backwards.

NM Galaxy Run Part 2

It was only 15km, I thought it will be just the usual bukit tunku route. The runners were called to starting line, but there were no proper countdown. As i was in the front 3 lines, i escaped the slow running group. But, after the wisma tani u-turn, the run became messy. there were no proper border lines, although the check point was there.

After the hockey stadium, they requested us to turn into the bus terminal and the tough task started. It was a steep hill around 500m. I never ran in that route before. When comes to down hill, it was also steep, thus i had to control my speed. Nevertheless, I used that chance to overtake few runner.

When  though the race was almost over, there was another hill which was also steep and curvy. It really broke the distance between the runner n front of me and behind me.

There were distance marker at every 3km and adequate water stations. perhaps, could have more counter for drinks,as we had to queue up for a while.

There was milo, cereal, banana and 100+. perhaps, another food / dish would have been better for runners as they were rushing for breakfast.

My timing was 1:18, which was not great. will work to push it below. 

Beauty and the beast

Gearakan President, the veteran, Mr.Mah, whom has lost previous 2 elections has been given 3rd chance. Whereas, DAP has fielded a Gen Y, Dyana Yusof. As Gerakan is still viying for their 1st win since 2008 election, DAP is triying to woo the gen-Y and creating successors.

Dyana has been the photographers focus, as she is photogenic and has ability to speak as she is a lawyer by profession. It will be a close call, so long there's no blackout happens again.

Malaysia is in Finals after 12 years

Thank you to Lee Chong Wei, Tan Boon Heong, Hoo Tian How and Chong Wei Feng whom made it dream come true by bringing Malaysia to Thomas Cup finals after 12 years.

Though only semifinals was target but they had the ability to move to finals. as the match started, the expected score was 3-1 or loosing 3-2 as we did not expect 1st doubles and 3rd single to win. Nevertheless, when Datuk Lee took the 1st match, he proved he is a world class player trailing from 5-0 in 2nd set and back to win the match.

As there were no much hope on 1st doubles, as they faced world number 1 pair, Ahsan /Setiawan, Hoo & Tan proved they are able to cope up with pressure and won the nail biting match in rubber sets. With miss-communications, yellow cards, lack of umpire support, the pair still put up a good show to win.

For 2nd singles, it was boost for wei feng and ultimate pressure for Rumbaka as he need to salvage the point else, they will pack the bag. That could be seen on their facial expression. Wei Feng was cool and handled the match well and got the match in straight sets.

Now Malaysia will face Japan whom upset 5 times defending champion  China.

I have been watching all the finals since 1992, 1994,1998 and 2002. I feel, it's the best chance now to win the title though Japanese players are motivated with the win in semifinals.