NOVEMBER 15, 20 DAILY PAGE 14 FROM THE PRESS Shuttler Lee and Medal hopes high for new debutants fail ’s top shuttler Lee Chong events at the Asiad Wei failed to deliver and all the fi rst-timers in the Asiad team were Cheering and clapping are usually welcomed and encouraged simply a bundle of nerves. And it in sporting events. But there will be one exception at the 16th resulted in a shock 3-2 defeat by . Go, or “baduk” in Korean, is among the fi ve new Th ailand in the quarter-fi nals of the men’s team tie. It was Malaysia’s fi rst events, including cricket, sports dance, dragon boat racing and loss to Th ailand in 30 years. roller sports, that have been added to the Asian Said team manager Datuk Maijol Manap: “Th is is really disappoint- Games. Th e competition venue will be almost silent when ing. We talked about the challenges players are placing tiny black and white stones on a board with from China, and the 361 crosses. Coaches can’t communicate with or even stay by ROK but today, we could not even clear the quarter-finals against a the players during the game. Th ere will be no breaks or half- fi ghting Th ai team.” time. Th ree gold medals are up for grabs in the newly added Lee’s task to get Malaysia off to Asiad game — men’s and women’s team events and also mixed a rousing start misfired. Singles coach Misbun Sidek admitted doubles. And the Republic of Korea is aiming to haul two gold that it was a disappointing outing medals at the event. but said that Lee was under the weather.  THE KOREA HERALD “But he has a few days to rest and recover. I am confident he will bounce back in the individual Formidable China Indonesians need competition,” he said. threatens to spike direction  THE STAR MALAYSIA Tayef, the only Th ailand’s beach play- While most Asian countries are ers have their work cut out: regain using the quadrennial event as a bright spot the glorious heights they reached stepping stone for the upcoming at 1998’s Asian Games when the London Olympics, Indonesia is Bangladesh made a poor start to sport was fi rst introduced at the still struggling to set its own targets the 16th Asian Games with most of Asiad. in Guangzhou. Indonesian Sports its athletes having ordinary times in Twelve years ago, Manatsanan Council (KONI) Chairwoman Guangzhou yesterday. Pangka and Rattanaporn Arlaisuk Rita Subowo said the country was The unlikely figure of Tayef made proud in the aiming for “a better achievement” Quader was the only success on Asian Games when than that of four years ago. the day through his win in the they thrashed Japan in the fi nal to Finishing 22nd in — aft er men’s eight-ball singles at the Asian capture the gold medal. Since then, bringing home only two gold med- Games gymnasium. no Th ai player has als, four silver and 14 bronze — this But that was all as far as good stepped onto a Games podium. year Indonesia hopes to win gold news from China was concerned as Nevertheless, Th ai players have medals in weightlift ing, , Indonesia’s Irsal Afrinneza Nasution continued to shine at the regional , dragon boat racing, , eliminated Aga Navil Ibn Ekram in level. Veteran Kamoltip Kulna, and beach volleyball. the same sport. who played in the Bangkok Games, It is hard for Indonesia to climb  THE DAILY STAR partnering Yupa Phokrongploy, higher in the medal tally as the BANGLADESH won the country still continues to bank (SEA Games) gold in Laos. The its hopes on a few specifi c sports. Bangladesh skipper pairing has been pretty impressive While experts and observers have lately, winning two straight tourna- repeatedly called on KONI and has golden gleam ments this month — the Indonesia sports organizations to focus on ZHANG CHENLIANG / CHINA DAILY Open Asia-Pacifi c Beach Volleyball sports offering opportunities for Captain Mohammad Ashraful Tour and the Asia-Pacifi c Indonesia the most gold medals. FROM THE BLOGS believes his team can clinch cricket Open Championship — powering Sporting stakeholders, includ- gold at the 16th Asian Games if it past teammates Jarunee Sannok ing the government and society, ZHANG XIAOHUAN can play up to its potential in the and Usa Tenpaksee in the fi nals. have the responsibility to ensure an Head coach of the Chinese synchronized team T20 competition. But the Jarunee-Usa partner- adequate supply of young talents to Wu Peng was very frustrated (after fi nishing fourth in the men’s 200m “It’s really a good feeling that I ship is still a force to be reckoned join the elite athletes who represent butterfl y), but I don’t know how to console him. have got the opportunity to lead with. They won the 2008 Asian Indonesia on the international Victory or defeat is a common thing for athletes. a team in the mega-event which Beach Games in Bali after stun- stage. is making its Asiad debut. I’m ning Kamoltip Yupa in an all-Th ai Without any unforeseen break- I hope this type of disappointment will make him stronger. very much hopeful about the clash. Th e two Th ai duos are feared throughs, increased public enthusi- competition. It is really possible by rivals elsewhere but their aura asm, or political will from the gov- HE WEI for us to clinch the gold medal if will be less intimidating at the ernment, it is diffi cult for Indonesia CCTV Asian Games reporter we can play our best cricket,” said Asian Games in Guangzhou. to repeat its success on the regional (The Chinese soccer team) survived the group matches, but ahead of Ashraful while at an offi cial press Whenever China hosts any major and international levels. Until then, them is the Republic of Korea (ROK). conference at the Sher-e-Bangla sporting competition, the home we can only consider ourselves as Comparing the two teams’ performances in the group stage, it’s nearly National Stadium in Mirpur team almost inevitably reigns participants in international sport- impossible for China to accomplish the target of entering the quarter- yesterday. supreme. Th e 16th Asian Games ing events, rather than contenders fi nals. The team will leave Dhaka for will be no exception. to be reckoned with. However, I hope these Chinese youngsters will prove I am wrong by per- Guangzhou on Nov 18.  THE NATION BANGKOK  THE POST forming more determinedly and not suff er any more shame.  THE DAILY STAR