Ode To Latitude
The SEA Games (2)

“Indonesia!” prok,prok, prok Indonesia supporters have filled the front row of the stands. This morning the Indonesian men's team is ready to face Malaysia. Each of the men's singles has gone to the field, then warmed up. The match began, Thian Hao against Indonesia's number 1 men's singles, Niko Ekadana who is currently in the world's fifth rank, while Thian Hao is in the world's sixth rank.

Niko and Thian's match was marked by protests on the ground. The referee, who is the host, asked that the two continue the match. The first match ended with a Thian Hao victory and the unsporting attitude of Indonesian supporters who mocked the opposing team. Lintang tried to calm Team Indonesia so as not to be easily provoked. After the first match was over, there was a double turn of the number one Indonesian men showed at once equalized.

Krisna Danar Rivaldi and Pijar Gilang entered the field, greeted by cheers like Indonesia had won the match. Latitude to not be able to relieve the euphoria on the bench Team Indonesia because no one cares about his reprimand because the atmosphere is noisy in the stands.

Danar and Gilang, the provocative duo who often provoke the emotions of opponents. Their psychological skills and tricks are often praised by senior commentators. Now they are facing Malaysia's number one men's doubles. Their last encounter came in the All England qualifying round and they won easily two straight games. Today they meet again in a duel defending the title or an opponent winning the match.

Throughout the game Team Malaysia continues to shout the attitude of Danar and Gilang which they think is not fair while the Indonesian team of course defended that it is part of the strategy and has been practiced by European players for a long time. Since Danar and Gilang became world number one, their psychological tricks were ridiculed as a form of arrogant attitude because they managed to become the world's best men's doubles.

Lintang analyzes the course of the game. He used to be close to playing in men's doubles because he was desperate with his career in the single sector that never brought his name competing on the world scene. At that time he was asked to consider his decision carefully by the coach of the club, both bad and the advantages of playing singles and doubles. Having gone through many inner upheavals Lintang solidified his choice as a single son.

Tricks provoke the emotions of the opponent, can be a weapon as well as boomerang. If the opponent we are provoking is provoked by our attitude then the chance to get a bigger number because emotionally the opponent wants to quickly turn off the ball. Conversely, if our bait is actually returned to the opponent with provocation we can be provoked and will lose the pattern of the game. This trick is often considered unfair because according to many people do not respect the opponent. That's where the art of sports that are duel, physical and mental war is key in every game.

A loud smash from the Malaysian players could not be dammed Danar and the Malaysian camp cheered in excitement. Indonesia's first half has proven its superiority in the second half they are fighting over each other's numbers.

“Come DanGil” shouted Annisa on the sidelines of the match. His loud voice echoed when Danar and Gilang lost points.

Lintang followed up shouting the same thing as the Malaysian players constantly asked for a shuttlecock and mop, giving a break.

Indonesia's score to 18-17, Gilang prepared to serve but the opposing player told the referee that the audience took a picture of him using a flash so that his vision was impaired. Referees immediately reprimand players who are in the stands should not use flash and are expected to abide by the rules so that the match can run.

The pause shifted Gilang's concentration. Service done out. Danar calmed Gilang by supporting his partner that the opponent's number was not yet 21 and their match was not over.

Indonesia again excelled through the Gilang service overview, treating the annoyance at the break and both did not let Malaysia get the numbers again. They ran out of steam because at the beginning they had played a fast rhythm and they agreed to end the game in two games. Luck is on the Indonesian side. They won dramatically after Danar's lucky ball successfully equalized the team's score to 1-1.

Latitude was overwhelmed in the first game. His opponent had a sharp and strong smash, his thin body made him agile and brave diving to defend the placing that Lintang tried to play. The opposing spirit burns the ego Latitude. He as much as possible avoids errors and prevents opponents from doing smash because smash is difficult to contain latitude.

The second game Lintang was far behind and decided to give up the points in order to save energy for the third game. The third game of his strategy steals points and makes a wide distance with a difference of points. Latitude stops placing and starts with netting and dropshots because from the first game Latitude reads its opponent tends to retreat backwards after serving. Strategy Latitude on target, opponents difficulty with netting and short balls. Latitude no longer thinks of variations in his punches but rather defends with trick shots and balls of responsibility.

A sense of relief brought Lintang back to the stands after the team's position to be 2-1, at least two points already in the hands of Indonesia and then the doubles team will struggle.

The next teams to play are Bisma Abisena and Gautam Alexander. Lintang cheered boisterously giving support to his sidekick at the national plate, Bisma. The pair ranked eleventh in the world will face a Malaysian pair from the top ten in the world rankings. Unlike the previous doubles, Bisma and Gautam are calmer on the field even on some occasions Bhishma tends to act funny on the field no wonder he has many athlete friends from various countries.

The second double match was colored by funny behavior on the field ranging from a detached racket, a smash that landed on the opponent's head to a cock that was stuck in the nett. Despite a lot of entertainment, they did not forget they were in a match. Bisma and Gautam rely on steel defense and rely on playmaker position in front of the net. The points they get are some of the opponents' frustrating mistakes due to their strong defense, and turning off the ball when the opponent is off guard. Indonesia managed to achieve three figures at once confirm their victory.

The team's 4-1 scoreline completes their victory through Febri's last single which was an easy win over his opponent. So far, the Indonesian men's team is unbeaten.

It was an hour before the women's team game started. The number of juniors in the women's team is much more, Annisa as the captain unceasingly encourages their spirit so as not to be afraid of the host. As per Koh Toni's prediction, Vietnam and Indonesia are on the same level and the atmosphere of the host-dominated stands makes the guts of junior players shrill. The balls that are hit to the end of the field are always thought to be out, left and turned in. Not only that the men's team is quite furious with the women's team whose spirit goes up and down and seems to have no fighting power.

Goddess fortuna does not seem to have to wait long to give luck to Vietnam. The Indonesian Princess team lost 3-2, that night the atmosphere of silence was no less Koh Toni asked what was the problem. No one dared to look at Koh Toni even Annisa could not give a reasonable reason because during the preparation of the women's team continued to show significant progress.

“Tomorrow the men's team will be against the Philippines, the women's team will be against Thailand. I hope the men's team continues to keep winning and the women's team has to bounce back from defeat. They and we are equally strong, there is no reason to lose”, Koh Toni said seriously.

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