Defending champs Djarum to face top seed Jaya Raya
Defending champs Djarum to face top seed Jaya Raya
By Novan Iman Santosa
BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Defending champion Djarum
Kudus of Central Java will challenge top seed and competition
favorites Jaya Raya of Jakarta in a clash of the titans at the
Inter-club National Badminton Championship final at the
Hasanuddin HM Sport Hall Saturday.
Djarum, second seeded at the event, crushed third seed Tangkas
of Jakarta 3-0. The remaining two matches were not featured as
they were no longer decisive.
Former world champion Sigit Budiarto and Olympic silver
medalist Minarti Timur were too powerful for Nova Widhianto and
Eny Widyowati, easily winning 15-8, 15-6 in the mixed doubles
opening match.
Djarum earned the second winning point after women's singles
Ellen Angelina defeated Mona Santoso 11-3, 11-3.
The Central Java club -- which has produced several top
caliber players, including Hariyanto Arbi, Liem Swie King and
Christian Hadinata -- sealed its victory after Budi Santoso
triumphed over world number eight Marlev Mainaky 15-12, 13-15,
15-2 in the men's singles.
Earlier on Friday, Djarum convincingly defeated Wima of
Surabaya 3-0 in the quarterfinals, while Tangkas defeated Mutiara
Elvana of Bandung 3-1.
Jaya Raya players had to lift their work rate to eliminate
fourth seed Sangkuriang Graha Sarana (SGS) of Bandung and secure
their finals berth.
Bambang Suprihanto and Indarti Issoliana produced the first
point for Jaya Raya after working hard to overcome Flandy Limpele
and Nira N 11-15, 15-4, 15-3.
Their lead was dissolved when Lidya Djaelawijaya lost to SGS's
Yuli Marfuah 6-11, 5-11 in the women's singles.
World number five Taufik Hidayat of SGS survived his test by
taming Hendra 15-4, 11-15, 15-8 in a performance buoyed by
support from a full-house of around 2,000 spectators.
Deyana Lomban and Carmelita gave Jaya Raya some breathing
space as they managed to trounce Monika and Lita Nurlita 15-3,
15-3.
In the do-or-die match, Olympic gold medalists Candra Wijaya
and Tony Gunawan proved their mastery by ousting Flandy Limpele
and Halim Heryanto 15-10, 15-1.
Halim seemed unable to overcome the pressure in the deciding
match and made many unforced errors, particularly in the second
game.
Earlier in the quarterfinals Jaya Raya managed to tame
Surabaya-based Surya Naga Gudang Garam 3-2 in a very close match,
while SGS beat local team Bina Benua 3-0.
In the National Junior Championships, being held
simultaneously at the same venue, Java-based shuttlers continued
to dominate the event, although East Kalimantan's shuttlers
surprised the crowds when they cruised to final.
East Kalimantan's first surprise was Robby Istianto and
Yusuf's victory over Hendra and Bambang of West Java 6-15, 17-14,
15-13 in the boys doubles. They will meet Yan Pieter and Tri Heru
of Jakarta who defeated Central Java's Aji Basuki and Prasetyo
17-14, 15-4.
Another East Kalimantan upset was Yusuf and Fermy Keintjem's
victory over Central Java's Rizal and Veronica 15-7, 15-9,
setting them a finals date with Hendra and Marlina of West Java
who defeated Sri Hartoko and Firbaya of Central Java 15-7, 15-4.
After the match, Robby told reporters that East Kalimantan's
progress was a result of its training in West Java.
"I've been in West Java's training camp for about two years
improving my skills. I will just freely play my best game in the
final," he said.
"I have met the Jakarta pair several times and lost most of
the time," he added.
Sonny Dwi Kuncoro of East Java beat Markis Kido of Jakarta 17-
14, 15-2, and will now meet Adriansyah who defeated teammate
Taufik Hidayat 15-11, 15-9.
"I will do my best in Saturday's final match. I have met
Adriansyah several times and already know his style," Sonny told
reporters after the match.
They have met seven times with Adriansyah leading the matchup
so far by 4-3.
Maria Christin of Central Java defeated Fitria Firdaus 11-7,
11-7, securing her a finals berth in the girls singles opposite
Dian Novita of Central Java who beat Dewi Tira of East Java 11-3,
11-2.