RI expects good start at Thomas, Uber Cups<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia expects a comfortable start in its
\ndefense of both the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup world badminton team
\ntitles in Hong Kong where it will meet low-rated contenders in
\nopening matches.<\/p>\n
The women's team will start its defense of the Uber Cup by
\nplaying its first match against England on May 15, while its male
\ncounterpart will meet the Netherlands in their Thomas Cup opener
\nMay 16.<\/p>\n
According to the match drawing conducted by the International
\nBadminton Federation (IBF) Tuesday in Hong Kong, the Indonesian
\nmen's team is to meet South Korea on May 18 and play Malaysia in
\na possible Group B top-of-the-table match two days after.<\/p>\n
After taking on England, Indonesia's Uber Cup squad will face
\nthe Netherlands on May 17 and meet the tournament's top ranked
\nSouth Korean team May 19.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's opening matches are scheduled to start at 12:30
\np.m. Hong Kong time (11:30 a.m. West Indonesia time).<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Badminton Association's athlete development
\ndeputy, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, was quick to express
\nsatisfaction over the drawing.<\/p>\n
\"It's supposed to be a good start for us to avoid early
\nmeetings with strong teams. The drawing allows us to warm up for
\nfurther but tougher matches,\" Siregar said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
He said he had nothing to worry about his teams playing at
\nnoon.<\/p>\n
\"No problem with the timetable. Our players can make
\nthemselves used to playing noon matches,\" Siregar said.<\/p>\n
The drawing, however, gave Malaysia, the 1992 Thomas Cup
\nwinner, a headache. It must set out on its bid to regain its past
\nglory with a do-or-die battle against dark horse South Korea on
\nMay 16.<\/p>\n
In the day's other Thomas Cup developments, top seed China was
\nplaced to meet Sweden in a Group A match which may serve as an
\nappetizer for the Asian team. China will face its toughest hurdle
\nMay 20 when it plays Europe's best hope, Denmark.<\/p>\n
Underdog Hong Kong, which qualified for the championships as
\nthe host, faces a daunting task in its early stages. It must play
\nChina in the Uber Cup on May 15 and Denmark in the Thomas Cup
\nopener May 16.<\/p>\n
The May 15 to May 24 badminton championships will be played at
\nthe Queen Elizabeth Stadium. (lnt)<\/p>\n
Order of play<\/p>\n
Uber Cup: Indonesia vs. England, South Korea vs. Netherlands,
\nChina vs. Hong Kong, Denmark vs. Japan (May 15); Indonesia vs.
\nNetherlands, South Korea vs. England, China vs. Japan, Denmark
\nvs. Hong Kong (May 17); Indonesia vs. South Korea, Netherlands
\nvs. England, China vs. Denmark, Japan vs. Hong Kong (May 19)<\/p>\n
Thomas Cup: Indonesia vs. Netherlands, China vs. Sweden, Malaysia
\nvs. South Korea, Denmark vs. Hong Kong (May 16); Indonesia vs.
\nSouth Korea, Malaysia vs. Netherlands, China vs. Hong Kong,
\nDenmark vs. Sweden (May 18); Indonesia vs. Malaysia, Netherlands
\nvs. South Korea, China vs. Denmark, Sweden vs. Hong Kong (May 20)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-expects-good-start-at-thomas-uber-cups-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}