RI, China battle in Thomas and Uber<\/p>\n
Zakki Hakim and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Titleholder Indonesia faces the prospect of a tough game with
\ntop seed China with the two Asian and world badminton powerhouses
\ndrawn in the same group for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup
\ncompetitions.<\/p>\n
The men's Thomas Cup, the International Badminton Federation
\n(IBF)'s oldest trophy, and the women's version the Uber Cup will
\nbe held in Jakarta from May 7 to May 16 at the Bung Karno Indoor
\nStadium.<\/p>\n
The draw, which was conducted on Friday, is expected to add an
\nextra dimension to the Thomas Cup.<\/p>\n
Indonesian badminton officials and former players said that
\ndespite being grouped with China, the men's team still had a good
\nopportunity to reach the finals, particularly with the home
\nadvantage.<\/p>\n
The 12 participating teams are divided into four groups of
\nthree. The teams will play a round-robin competition in the
\nopening round, with group winners automatically moving into the
\nquarterfinals.<\/p>\n
The second and third place group finishers will be paired
\nagainst teams from different groups in a knock-out round to
\ndetermine the final four places in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
While expecting to take advantage of the home support,
\nBadminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Chairul
\nTanjung said the grouping meant that Indonesia would not face
\nChina in the knock-out phase.<\/p>\n
If Indonesia, which is seeded fifth in the tournament, fails
\nto overcome China and finishes runner-up in Group A, Indonesia
\nwill face the third place finisher from Group B, expected to be
\neither Germany or New Zealand, for a place in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
Should the team advance, Indonesia will face a quarterfinal
\nmatch against the Group C winner, likely to be Malaysia.<\/p>\n
If Indonesia can overcome Malaysia, Denmark would be the
\nlikely opponent in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
"The draw is a tough one for us, but it could be a blessing in
\ndisguise," Tan Joe Hok, one of Indonesia's past stars, said.<\/p>\n
While questioning Indonesia's fifth seed, Rudi Hartono, the
\neight-time winner of the All England, said that it could benefit
\nthe team by removing some of the pressure as the defending
\nchampion.<\/p>\n
The draw was attended by IBF vice president Charoen
\nWattanasin, IBF executive board member Punch Gunalan, PBSI
\nofficials and former badminton stars.<\/p>\n
Separately on Friday, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul
\nPadmanagara said the Jakarta Police were ready to secure the
\nThomas Cup and Uber Cup events.<\/p>\n
"Even if the events were to happen tomorrow, we would be
\nready," he said before meeting with IBF delegates at his office
\non Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta.<\/p>",
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