RI secures slot in Asia Cup semis<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia secured a semifinal ticket to the
\nUS$170,000 Asia Cup after continuing its winning streak by
\ndefeating Hong Kong 3-0 in the second Group A round-robin match
\nat the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Also in the semifinals are South Korea and last-minute
\nsubstitute, Thailand.<\/p>\n
Top seed and defending champion Indonesia started the
\nonslaught when world number two singles shuttler Taufik Hidayat
\neasily tamed Indonesian-born Agus Hariyanto, 15-8, 15-7.<\/p>\n
Japan Open winners Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto barely
\nbroke sweat to oust Liu Kwok-wa and Albertus Susanto Njoto, also
\nfrom Indonesia, 15-6, 15-5.<\/p>\n
Hendrawan, however, had to expend energy to bounce back for a
\n11-15, 15-8, 15-7 victory against old hand Tam Kai-chuen.<\/p>\n
\"I was exhausted during the match but it was not a problem. I
\nhave won in each of our three encounters. He played really well
\ntoday,\" Hendrawan told The Jakarta Post by phone.<\/p>\n
\"I reached 80 percent to 90 percent of my top form when taking
\nthe Olympics silver in September. I played much better than in
\nthe All England in March.\"<\/p>\n
While Taufik said he played better than Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"I played much better than yesterday. As for tomorrow's match
\nagainst Korea, let's see what happen because I have never met Lee
\nHyun-il,\" he told the Post.<\/p>\n
In another Group A match, Singapore managed to steal one match
\nfrom dark horse South Korea 2-1.<\/p>\n
Korea earned its two points thanks to singles Lee Hyun-il, who
\ndefeated Ronald Susilo 15-7, 15-13, and doubles Lee Dong-soo and
\nYoo Yong-sung, who ousted Patrick Lau and Aman Santoso 15-8, 15-
\n9.<\/p>\n
But host Singapore managed to narrow the gap after Indonesian-
\nborn Indra Wijaya had to stretch out before defeating Shon Seung-
\nmo 15-13, 8-15, 15-12.<\/p>\n
Thailand, the last-minute substitute after India was axed for
\nfailing to send All England winner Pulella Gopichand,
\nsurprisingly ensured its semifinals slot.<\/p>\n
In its second encounter, Thailand managed to put Malaysia on
\nthe edge by winning 2-1.<\/p>\n
Polsana Boonsak had to struggle before overcoming lefthander
\nWong Choon Hann 5-15, 15-10, 15-10. But Thailand ensured it had
\nqualified after doubles Pramote Teerawiwaratana and Tesana
\nPansisavas managed to defeat Malaysia's second best Chan Choong
\nMing and Chew Choon Eng 17-16, 15-12.<\/p>\n
Second singles Yong Hock Kin stole a point after overcoming
\nAnupap Thiraratsakul 15-11, 15-9.<\/p>\n
\"I just can't believe we have beaten China and Malaysia one
\nafter another,\" said a beaming Thai coach Udom Lunjphetiapoin as
\nhis cash-strapped side were guaranteed at least $10,000 for
\nfourth. The winners' cheque is $80,000.<\/p>\n
\"It will take some time for me to recover from how well my
\nplayers have performed here,\" he said, as quoted by AFP.<\/p>\n
Asian powerhouse China still has to struggle against Malaysia
\non Friday for a semis place although it won 3-0 over Japan.<\/p>\n
All England runner-up Chen Hong easily beat Shinya Ohtsuka 15-
\n6, 15-8, while doubles Zhang Jun and Zhang Wei overpowered Yuzo
\nKubota and Takuya Katayama 15-12, 15-3. Chen Yu sealed his team's
\nvictory by crushing Keita Masuda 15-8, 15-12. (nvn)<\/p>",
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