Indonesia Edge Closer to History: Doubles Strength and a New Generation's Voice at the 2026 Asian Games

When the final smash from Leo Rolly Carnado hit the court on the Thai side, the Aichi-Nagoya arena exploded. Indonesia had just secured a place in the final of the men's team badminton event at the 2026 Asian Games. But I do not remember the raised racket, nor the teammates' embrace. I remember the look in the eyes of Alwi Farhan, the 21-year-old sitting on the bench before stepping in for the second singles. There was a rare calmness in that gaze, as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. “The court does not remember, but I do.” I whispered my own line as I watched a new generation of Indonesian badminton begin to reveal itself.

To reach the semifinal, Indonesia had walked a difficult path. In the quarterfinal, they only edged past Malaysia 3-2, a result that warned against any complacency. Thailand, meanwhile, entered the semifinal with depth in men's singles but lacked stability in doubles. They arrived with belief in their youth, but also with the weight of pressure. Just before, the Indonesian women's team had lost to China in the semifinal, pushing all expectations onto the men's shoulders. The shuttlecock never waits for the slow mover – in badminton, every stroke leaves no room for hesitation.

This is the first time the Asian Games have returned to Japan after decades, and Asian badminton now has a chance to assert itself at a regional Games dominated by other sports. For Indonesia, the men's team gold is not merely prestige; it is a statement for a training system that once flourished but has endured ups and downs.

The semifinal opened with a shock. Jonatan Christie, Indonesia's number one singles player, lost to his Thai opponent 17-21, 14-21. It was not a beautiful defeat, nor was it a surprise if the opponent was indeed a top veteran. But in a team event, a loss in the first singles does not have to end all hope if the rest of the squad can stand up. Indonesia proved exactly that.

Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri walked onto the court for the first doubles under heavy pressure. They answered with a 21-13, 21-19 win over the Thai pair. It was not a perfect match, but mature enough to keep the tie under control. Indonesia had levelled the score and regained their rhythm. Alwi Farhan, the young player given the second singles spot, showed a composure that surprised everyone. He closed the match 21-15, 21-13, winning and leaving his opponent almost no chance to catch up. For a 21-year-old at an Asian Games, that was a sign of a cool head and a steel will.

Leo Rolly Carnado and Daniel Marthin sealed the semifinal with a 21-15, 21-13 victory in the second doubles. The 3-1 final score reflected a match Indonesia controlled almost completely, despite losing the first singles point. Indonesia's victory was decided by their doubles, and this is the clearest sign that the team has built its game on a strong men's doubles foundation. From my experience following team badminton, a team can absorb a singles loss if both doubles rubbers are secured, but that rarely works against a deep side like China or India. For Indonesia, this strategy is working, but it is also exposing a clear limit.

What is most intriguing is Alwi Farhan's presence in the semifinal lineup. He was given an opportunity, and more than that, placed in a strategic position right after Jonatan's defeat. Facing the pressure of a match that could decide a place in the final, Alwi played like a veteran. There are matches without spectators, but with millions of hearts watching – and Alwi seemed to understand that better than anyone on court. The new generation of Indonesia is not waiting anymore; they are opening their own door.

Indonesia's final equation now has two scenarios, and neither is easy. Against China, they would face a team with depth in both singles and doubles, leaving almost no absolute weakness. Against India, the tie could be more open, but India's outstanding men's singles will challenge Jonatan and Alwi if they face top-ranked players. In either case, Indonesia needs at least one singles point to support their two doubles. That is the hardest knot to untie.

But I want to say something against the tide of celebration. This victory may be hiding a big problem: Jonatan Christie, the team's number one singles, performed below his level across two games and lost with a clear margin. Against China in the final, the first singles spot would almost certainly be a liability. Some may call his defeat a bad day, but I have watched long enough to know that a 14-21 second game is not the sign of a player in good form. And that makes me wonder: is Indonesia winning because of the system, or because of favourable draws against opponents with weaker doubles? Without improvement in men's singles, this Asian Games journey may end with a runner-up finish – a beautiful ending, but an incomplete one.

I do not know whether Indonesia will win their first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games. But I know one thing: they dared to trust a 21-year-old in the semifinal, and he repaid that trust with a victory that could not be more convincing. “If I had not dared to dream back then, where would I be now?” – that question is probably echoing in the minds of young Indonesians. No matter how the final unfolds, this generation has begun to write the next chapter of Indonesian badminton history. And that is a victory that needs no score to wait for.