Indonesia assured four golds from badminton

By Primastuti Handayani

JAKARTA (JP): The loss of Joko Suprianto to Malaysian Ong Ewe Hock in the men's singles yesterday was the lone blemish for the home country in the individual badminton events.

Despite the support of a packed stadium, Joko went down 15-18, 11-15. Ong will meet Indonesian Hariyanto Arbi for gold.

But Indonesia is assured of at least four gold medals. Mia Audina will meet Meluawati in the women's singles, Elyza/Zelin Resiana face juniors Deyana Lomban/Indarti Issoliana in the women's doubles, Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur will meet new partnership of Elyza/Candra Wijaya in the mixed doubles and Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky challenge Candra/Sigit Budiarto.

Joko played shakily from the opening point. The 30-year-old shuttler started slowly and never appeared fully in control of his shots. In the five-point deuce at 13-13, Joko failed to use his experience to his advantage, letting Ong dominate to take the game.

The Indonesian veteran had his chances in the second game and led 11-6. But a flood of errors returned and he did not win another point.

"Joko is too old now and I took advantage of his age, although his technical skills are still very good," Ong said.

Joko admitted he had been too hesitant and had failed to force the pace. "I played too slow, I should have played quicker. In the second set, I was very uncertain and I became nervous. I made many errors."

Indonesian men's coach Indra Gunawan said: "Joko should have rallied as usual. Today he didn't play very well because he was very doubtful."

Hariyanto Arbi beat young Malaysian shuttler Yong Hock Kin 15- 9, 15-11. He said he was not taking the final lightly after narrowly escaping defeat against Ong in the team final.

"It won't be easy to beat Ong because he is very self- confident. I will be able to beat him as long as I don't make many unforced errors."

Mia Audina also had a shaky start before recouping to overcome Pornsawan Plungwech of Thailand 6-11, 11-7, 12-10.

Meluawati, a replacement for Susi Susanti who withdrew with an injured knee, beat Zarinah Abdullah of Singapore, 11-5, 11-0.

In the women's doubles, world number two pair Elyza/Zelin defeated Lim Amparo/Kennie Asuncion of the Philippines 15-10, 15- 2. Indarti/Deyana were too good for Somharuthai Jaroensiri/Saralee Thoungthonkam of Thailand 15-3, 15-4.

Tri/Minarti were made to work hard in subduing Chew Choon Eng/Ang Li Peng of Malaysia 15-11, 15-12. They will meet Candra/Elyza, who upset another Malaysian pair, Cheah Soon Kit/Norashikin Amin 15-7, 15-2.

The men's doubles final promises to be the most interesting match as Olympic champions Ricky/Rexy meet world champions Candra/Sigit.

Ricky/Rexy were tested before eliminating Siripong Siripool/Pramote Teerawiwatana of Thailand 15-4, 9-15, 15-12. In contrast, Candra/Sigit made short work of another Thai pair, Khunakorn Sudhisodhit/Kitipon Kitikul 15-2, 15-5.