Indonesia looks for 5-0 win over U.S.<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Thomas Cup team is looking for a perfect win
\nover the United States as the defending champion begins its quest
\nfor a record six-in-a-row win in the badminton men's team
\nchampionship here on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Joko Supriyanto, the Indonesian men's singles coach, said that
\nthey would go all out for a 5-0 win.<\/p>\n
\"We'll try to get a 5-0 score as all the games will be played
\nin the preliminary round. We've got to win as many points as
\npossible to make the next stage a bit easier,\" Joko said.<\/p>\n
Being in the same group as China, Indonesia faces an uphill
\ntask in its chase for two wins so as to automatically qualify for
\nthe quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
Team manager Christian Hadinata admitted his team's match
\nagainst China would be tough but said the immediate task at hand
\nwas to dispose of the U.S.<\/p>\n
Christian refused to reveal as yet who would be the first
\nsingles to play given the choice between Sony Dwi Kuncoro and
\nTaufik Hidayat, both finalists at the Asian Championship, which
\nTaufik won.<\/p>\n
Ranking-wise, Sony, who is ninth in the world, should be given
\nthe place over Taufik, who is only ranked 17th. The third singles
\nplace will be decided between Simon Santoso and Wimpie Mahardi.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's top pairs, Alven Yulianto and Luluk Hadiyanto, and
\nFlandy Limpele and Eng Hian are expected to play against the U.S.<\/p>\n
However, Christian said that it would still be possible for
\nthe new pairing of Candra Wijaya and Tri Kusharjanto to play a
\nstand-in role.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tony Gunawan, the former Indonesian star who now
\nplays for the U.S., confirmed on Thursday that he would not play
\nin the match against his former teammates.<\/p>\n
\"I don't feel right about playing against my own friends.
\nThat's all,\" said Tony, who also acts as a coach.<\/p>\n
The American team is competing with only five members, the
\nrest of whom are Kevin Han, Eric Go, Howard Bach, and Khan Bob
\nMalaythong.<\/p>\n
Other matches in the Thomas Cup are South Africa vs. Thailand
\nand Germany vs. New Zealand.<\/p>",
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