All-Indonesia badminton final seen in Sydney
JAKARTA (JP): The chances are looking better for an all- Indonesia final in the badminton men's doubles at the Olympic Games after the second best pair of Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian beat the world number one duo of Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan in a warm-up match on Friday.
Flandy and Didi, as Eng Hian is popularly known, played their best badminton ever to win 15-11, 17-16 before a crowd of some 3,000 spectators filling the 10,000-seat Senayan Indoor Stadium.
Coach Herry Imam Pierngadi expressed his happiness following the unexpected results.
"I'm happy because now Flandy and Didi have found their style of playing and they are being more consistent," Herry said of the pair, who reached the Indonesia Open final and won the succeeding tournament Malaysia Open last month.
"Now we have two dangerous teams in the world and our opponents in the Olympic Games will have to double their attention on both duos."
Candra and Tony have been the main backbone of the Indonesian team to maintain the gold medal tradition since Susy Susanti and Alan Budikusuma won the golds in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Four years later Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky took another gold in Atlanta, Georgia.
Herry said he would not worry about the performance of Candra and Tony.
"They only have to work on their defense and netting. They'll be ready for the Olympics," Herry said.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) training director Christian Hadinata said the tough match between both doubles showed their high motivation and fighting spirit.
"Flandy and Didi have improved their performance. They can change the game's rhythm and Didi's balls are unpredictable. Candra and Tony must improve their rhythm as they tend to play speed and power."
Christian said he would not worry about Candra's psychological setback after the defeat.
"Candra is a very serious person but I know he won't be preoccupied by today's loss. He will work harder to improve his playing and take revenge next time they meet. Don't worry, he'll be OK."
In the following match, Hendrawan defeated Taufik Hidayat for the first time after four meetings. Hendrawan won 9-15, 15-12, 15-13.
"Taufik played carelessly but generally the two had performed their best. Taufik only needs to improve his concentration in critical points when in front. He should be able to use the perfect time to finish his opponent," coach Mulyo Handoyo said.
Hendrawan's coach Agus Dwi Santoso said Taufik, despite the loss, remains Indonesia's best hopeful to win a gold in the Olympics.
"I think our players will face tough challengers from the early rounds at the Olympics. They must be prepared."
Indonesia's third Olympic men's singles player Marlev Mainaky also failed to reach his top form, losing to non-Olympic qualifier Budi Santoso 15-12, 6-15, 16-17.
"I didn't have the fighting spirit. I couldn't gain my motivation. My preparation was not good enough but I have two weeks to improve myself," said world number eight Marlev.
Former Olympic winners Ricky and Rexy lost to non-Olympic qualifiers Sigit Budiarto and Antonius 4-15, 17-14. Meanwhile in the women's singles, Lidya Djaelawidjaja beat Ellen Angelinawaty 13-10, 11-7.
Indonesia's best women's doubles team of Elysa Nathanael and Deyana Lomban defeated Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta 15-12, 15-11. The mixed doubles pair of Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur won over Bambang Suprianto and Zelin Resiana 15-9, 15-11. (yan)