Kembara Pasukan Piala Thomas yang Pertama, 1949 (Bahagian 2) – “They came, they saw and they shivered.”
“They came, they saw and they shivered.” (Mereka datang, mereka nampak dan mereka menggeletar.)
Itu adalah antara tajuk akhbar di England menyambut kedatangan pemain-pemain badminton Malaya. Tanggapan mereka mungkin kerana pemain dari benua Asia tidak tahan akan cuaca sejuk, lebih-lebih lagi di musim dingin.
Pasukan Malaya mengadakan sesi latihan pertama di Wimbledon Courts pada hari ketiga setelah sampai di kota London. Pada malamnya mereka diraikan oleh Persatuan Pelajar Malaya dalam acara tahunan menyambut tahun baharu.
Sebelum itu, mereka di bawa melawat kilang Dunlop di mana raket badminton diperbuat. Mereka dihadiahkan dengan beberapa raket untuk digunakan semasa mereka di sana.
Pemain Malaya kemudiannya meneruskan latihan serius tanpa sebarang urusan sosial lagi. Mereka turut mengadakan perlawanan dengan Kelab Badminton Wimbledon. Wong Peng Soon berjaya mengalahkan Noel Redford pemain berkaliber England yang berumur 40 tahun, 15-0, 15-4. Redford yang juga jurulatih kepada pemain sensasi USA, Dave Freeman, mengatakan Wong Peng Soon merupakan seorang pemain yang bijak, penuh dengan gerakan tipu helah dan sentuhan yang mengelirukan di dalam gelanggang. Namun begitu, beliau tetap berpendapat pemain USA itu adalah pemain perseorangan terbaik dunia.
Secara keseluruhan Noel Redford memuji pasukan Malaya yang bermain pantas, bertenaga dan mempunyai pergerakan pergelangan tangan yang sangat baik. Pasukan Malaya mengalahkan Kelab Badminton Wimbledon 6-0 tanpa tewas sebarang set.
Intensiti latihan pasukan Malaya ditingkatkan sehari demi sehari. Beberapa perlawanan latihan dengan kelab-kelab diadakan untuk mempersiapkan mereka mengharungi perlawanan getir di Glasgow nanti.
Kesemua 2,700 tiket untuk perlawanan antara USA dan Malaya yang dijadualkan pada 21hb dan 22hb Februari 1949 di Glasgow telah habis dijual sejak dari awal tahun lagi.
Apa kesudahannya perlawanan Malaya – USA itu? Nantikan dalam penulisan selanjutnya.
Bersambung…
#LegasiLagenda
#LegasiLegendaDikenangYangKiniDijulang
#SukanSatukanMalaysia
#integriti
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#kesabaran
The Journey of the first Thomas Cup Team (Part 2)
“They came, they saw, and they shivered.”
That was among the headlines in England welcoming the arrival of the Malayan badminton players, possibly due to the impression that players from Asia cannot stand cold weather much less winter.
The Malayan team held their first training session at Wimbledon Courts on their third day in London. During that evening, they were celebrated by the Malayan Students Association at their annual New Year event.
In between, they were taken to visit the Dunlop factory where badminton rackets were made. The Malayan players were even gifted rackets for them to use while they were in England.
The team then resumed their serious training without any more social affairs. They played with the Wimbledon Badminton Club where Wong Peng Soon defeated 40-year-old notable English player, Noel Redford 15 – 0, 15 – 4. Redford, who was USA sensation Dave Freeman’s coach at the time, said that Wong Peng Soon was a smart player. He thought that Wong was full of deceptive moves and tricks on the court. However, he still believed that his American player was the best singles player in the world.
Overall, Noel Redford praised the Malayan team for playing fast, keeping their energy up, and having excellent wrist movements. They defeated the Wimbledon Badminton Club 6 – 0 without losing a single set.
The Malayan players increased their training intensity as the days went on. Several more training matches were held to further prepare them for their tough fight in Glasgow later on.
All 2,700 tickets for the USA vs. Malaya match scheduled for 21st and 22nd February 1949 in Glasgow have been sold out since the beginning of the year.
What was the outcome of the Malaya – USA battle? Stay tuned to find out more…
