All-Indonesia badminton final seen in Sydney

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)