Don't Be Dizzy with Early Success, Malaysian Badminton Coach Warns

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, May 17, 2002

Don't Be Dizzy with Early Success, Malaysian Badminton Coach Warns

After sinking China 3-1 in the Thomas Cup badminton team championships semi-final late on Thursday evening, Malaysian coach warned his players on Friday not be perky with the success.

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After sinking China 3-1 in the Thomas Cup badminton team championships semi-final late on Thursday evening, Malaysian coach warned his players on Friday not be perky with the success.

Malaysia showed a consistence to overcome the odds with their fighting spirit against the favored hosts in a four-hour semi-final battle, leaving some 8,000 Chinese at the edge of their seats.

With the win, Malaysia reached their fourth Thomas Cup final in a decade and washed away their miserable memory of their semi-final oust two years ago back on home turf in Kuala Lumpur.

However, Malaysian coach Indra Gunawan warned his young players to keep cool heads before winning the Cup which was last won by them in 1992.

Gunawan said: "Don't be carried away with the victory over China. The more important fight against either defending champions Indonesia or Denmark in the final is yet to come."

Indonesia, seeking their fifth title in a row, take on Denmark in another semi-final at the Tianhe Sports Center later Friday.

"We will show our tenacity again in the final whoever our rivals are," Gunawan said.

Malaysia lost to Indonesia 4-1 in the group phase as they named a makeshift doubles duet and engaged the semi-final encounter with China, leaders in Group A as expected.

The coach revealed the master stroke was their "confidential secret" which led to the victory over China, who relied on the singles most of the time.

"We scratched our doubles in the group match against Indonesia based on our 'own strategy'. But if we meet them again in the final, we will fire up our full arsenal," he said.

"It will be an even harder tie in the final, I hope our shuttlers are well-prepared, mentally and physically," the Malaysian coach said.

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