Davis Cup team 'to qualify' for Group I<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Indonesian Tennis
\nAssociation (Pelti), Tanri Abeng, said on Thursday that he
\ntargeted the national Davis Cup team to qualify for Group I of
\nthe Asia Oceania Zone.<\/p>\n
Tanri told reporters after visiting National Sports Council
\n(KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar that there had been no
\nconflict between players, coaches and Pelti officials and all the
\nsquad members were highly motivated to win the Davis Cup tie.<\/p>\n
The second round tie in Group II of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania
\nZone will be played in Kuala Lumpur next month.<\/p>\n
\"We are targeting to qualify for Group I. The KONI chairman
\nhas reminded the players, coaches and Pelti officials to
\ncooperate. He said Pelti should be proud because it represents
\nthe country in the competition,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The players are optimistic that they can overcome Malaysia,\"
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
Tanri said Wismoyo had asked Pelti to prepare the national
\nteam for the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
\"I told Pak Wismoyo that the Davis Cup team is a part of the
\npreparation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia reached the second round after beating the
\nPhilippines 4-1 in Manila from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6. Indonesia meets
\nMalaysia from April 7 to April 9. Malaysia reached the second
\nround by crushing Iran 3-2.<\/p>\n
The winner of the tie will face either Pakistan or Chinese
\nTaipei.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will deploy Febi Widhiyanto and Suwandi in the first
\nand second singles and the veteran pair of Bonit Wiryawan and
\nSulistyo Wibowo in the doubles event.<\/p>\n
As of Thursday, Malaysia had not informed Pelti of its squad
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Coach Deddy Prasetyo said the other pair of Edy Kusdaryanto
\nand Hendri Susilo Pramono would not compete in Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
\"Edy has refused to play. He and Hendri say they will only be
\npractice partners to Bonit and Sulistyo.\"<\/p>\n
Deddy also said all the team members would have to adjust
\nthemselves to play in an indoor stadium as the match would take
\nplace in an indoor stadium in Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
\"They have to adjust themselves to play under artificial
\nlights. They are used to playing in sunlight in an outdoor court,
\nso their eyes are not accustomed to indoor lighting,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also expressed confidence that the team could beat
\nMalaysia.<\/p>\n
\"For me, the most important thing is to win the game. And we
\nwill. Even if we perform poorly, we can still beat Malaysia 3-2,\"
\nhe said. (ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/davis-cup-team-to-qualify-for-group-i-1447893297",
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