TEMPO.CO, Incheon - Indonesia's national anthem is finally sung for the first time in the 17th Asiad in Incheon, after the women's double shutlers Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda won the gold medal. Greysia/Nitya overpowered Japan’s Ayaka Takashi/Misaki Matsumoto 21-15, 21-9 in the final clash.
The Indonesian dominated the game not with strong smashes, but with skillful ball placements and sharp dropshots instead. The tactic was used since the world No. 3 Takahasi/Matsumoto is known to be strong and fast. The Japanese had beaten the 10th ranked Greysia/Nitya in some their previous encounters.
The strategy seemed to be apt as the Japanese looked uncomfortably playing and had done many unforced errors. Their smashes were mostly ended up on the net or gone wide out of the court before finally knelt down in two straight games.
The first gold medal by Gryesia/Nitya has brought Indonesia to the 16th place from the 20th. Indonesia has collected one gold, three silvers, and six bronzes so far.
AGUS BAHARUDIN
