Coach hopes for all-Indonesian final in Japan Open
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia men's doubles badminton coach Herry Imam Pierngadi expressed the hope that his shuttlers would be able to secure an all-Indonesian final at the five-star Japan Open next week.
"We still have a chance to secure another all-Indonesian final at the Japan Open as we did in the All England three weeks ago, although the chances are slimmer now if we look at the draw," Herry told reporters on the sidelines of Friday's training session at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.
"Our second seeds Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian will find the going tougher compared to their teammates due to Eng Hian's injury. But I'm sure they can still do their best."
Flandy and Eng Hian will face Thailand's Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisavas in the first round. Should they win, they are likely to face the young Chinese pairing of Zhang Wei and Zhang Jun. If they manage to reach the third round, they will likely meet the eighth seeds, Malaysians Chew Choon Eng and Chan Chong Ming.
"The first round is the hardest because we haven't won against the Thais in several meets," Eng Hian said. "We'll have to play better and concentrate more on this match."
Seventh seeds Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya, All England runners-up, will be challenged by Japan's Tooru Matsumoto and Takanori Aori in the first round. Should they reach the second round, they will meet the winners of the match between the qualifiers and Britons James Anderson and Graham Hurrell.
If they manage to reach the quarterfinals, the Indonesians are likely to face Danish third seeds Michael Sogaard and Jim Laugesen.
"Candra and Sigit have a relatively easy draw but they must watch out for Sogaard and Laugesen. If they manage to overcome the Danes, they'll reach the semis," Herry said.
"I've warned my players that they must be aware of the Danish pairs as they are familiar with the Asian style of playing, especially now that they have hired coaches from China."
All England champions Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto are scheduled to meet Japanese Norio Imai and Hiroshi Ohyama in the first round. If they win, they will meet the winners of the match between the qualifiers and Britons Peter Jeffrey and David Lindley. They will face tough opponents in the quarters as they are likely to challenge top seeds Jens Eriksen and Jesper Larsen.
Tony expressed optimism about reaching the semifinals but was concerned about the flight schedule as the national squad will arrive in Tokyo early on Tuesday, less than 24 hours before the opening match.
"I just hope that we don't get any physical fitness problems with the flight because we'll definitely use the first day there to take a break," Tony said.
Should Tony and Halim reach the semifinals, they are likely to meet the winners between Malaysian fourth seeds Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah and the Danish pairing of Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Lars Paaske.
However, Herry called on his shuttlers to remain aware of the new South Korean pairing of Ha Tae-kwon and Yoo Yong-sung. Ha has been separated from his usual partner Kim Dong-moon due to Kim's prolonged injury.
Separately, men's singles Budi Santoso expressed his disappointment over the PBSI's decision not to send him to the Japan Open.
"I am very disappointed because with my absence from the Japan Open, I won't get a chance to compete at the World Championships in Seville, Spain, in May."
"I don't understand why the PBSI has decided to send Ronny Agustinus, whose ranking is 31st, instead of me, number 16 in the world. They said I lost my chance because I didn't win earlier..."
The PBSI is only sending Ronny and Johan Hadikusuma in the men's doubles to Tokyo while Marlev Mainaky, who is moving to a Japanese club, is covering his own expenses.
Training director Christian Hadinata said that Budi should have produced better results when he still had the chance to compete abroad.
"Now we must concentrate on developing the juniors who include Ronny and Johan." (nvn/yan)