Indonesia stumbles out of Uber Cup<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Guangzhou, China<\/p>\n
Although it has yet to play the final Group match, the Indonesian
\nUber Cup team virtually went out of the world's women's team
\ncompetition, which prompted the Badminton Association of
\nIndonesia (PBSI) to pledge a drastic and comprehensive reform.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian squad was thrown out of the race to semifinals
\nafter conceding two consecutive defeats at Group B qualifying
\nround, the second loss coming in the hands of the Netherlands 3-2
\non Saturday.<\/p>\n
PBSI chairman Chairul Tanjung told Indonesian reporters that
\nhe took responsibility of the defeat and would plan further
\nreform to improve the women's shuttlers performance.<\/p>\n
\"We have to swallow the bitter pills as we have been beaten
\ntwice and I take full responsibility of it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The defeat has prompted us to take a drastic and stern
\nmeasures to improve the shuttlers. We must realize that most of
\nour senior shuttlers are getting older and it affects their
\nperformance,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Chairul added he would discuss the matter further with
\ntraining director Christian Hadinata and coaching members of
\nstaff.<\/p>\n
\"The measures will also include massive recruitment of
\nqualified coaches but I can't say who are on our list.\"<\/p>\n
The Dutch team was on such a high optimism in sending
\nIndonesia out. It was their second win following their stunning
\nvictory over fellow Europeans Denmark 3-2 at Guangzhou's Tianhe
\nSports Center.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's humiliating run started when Lidya Djaelawidjaja
\nand Ellen Angelina lost to their respective opponents.<\/p>\n
Motivation seemed deserted Lidya as she lost 2-7, 4-7, 2-7 to
\nher former teammate Mia Audina Tjiptawan.<\/p>\n
Ellen had to work hard to earn the first set before kneeling
\ndown 1-3 to Judith Meulendijks. Ellen wasted her 4-0 lead, though
\nshe could recover for an opening 8-6 win. But Meulendijks swept
\nthe remaining set 7-2, 7-1, 7-3.<\/p>\n
Trailing 0-2, Indonesia banked hopes heavily on Yuli Marfuah,
\nwho faced European Championships bronze medalist Brenda
\nBeenhakker in the crucial match for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Yuli caused worries in the Indonesian squad when she was
\nbeaten easily 1-7 in the first game with too many of her shots
\nlanded behind Beenhakker' line.<\/p>\n
In the rest of the game, Yuli changed her strategy with more
\nprecise placing of the shuttlecocks, to wrap up the match 7-4,
\n7-3, 8-6 to give the Indonesian team an instant lifeline.<\/p>\n
Her effort, however, was useless as second doubles Emma
\nErmawati and Minarti Timur failed to even the score against Mia
\nand Lotte Jonathans. Emma and Minarti wasted their 7-0, 7-5 lead
\nen route to their 4-7, 4-7, 5-7 crashing.<\/p>\n
Indonesia reduced the deficit 3-2 after Deyana Lomban and Vita
\nMarissa defeated Beenhakker and Karina de Witt.<\/p>\n
In the other Uber Cup match, Hong Kong beat favorite Denmark
\n3-2 to go along the Dutch through to the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Thomas Cup qualifying round, South Korea defeated
\nSweden to open its chances of reaching the next stage. The win
\nwas important for the Koreans after being beaten by Denmark 3-2
\non Thursday.<\/p>\n
Host China also had a tight game against Denmark before
\nsealing it 3-2 with Lin Dan deciding the tie over Peter
\nRasmussen.<\/p>",
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