Indonesia beats Malaysia to retain Thomas Cup

Indonesia beats Malaysia to retain Thomas Cup

HONG KONG (Agencies): Indonesia retained badminton's Thomas
Cup yesterday with a 3-2 victory over fierce rival Malaysia to
give a much-needed morale boost to its troubled country.

It was Indonesia's 11th win and its third in succession while
Malaysian coach Morten Frost tasted defeat for the second
straight time. He was in charge of the Danish team that lost 5-0
to Indonesia in 1996.

World number 12 Hendrawan, whose 18-14 10-15 15-5 win over
Yong Hock Kin turned the match Indonesia's way, summed up the
patriotic fervor which enveloped the team.

"We have had more motivation to win the Thomas Cup because of
what has been happening back home," said Hendrawan, who shared a
US$10,000 win bonus with his teammates. "Every day before play
the team manager reminded us of the troubles in Indonesia and
made us promise to play well to take back the Thomas Cup. I'm
sure this win will give the people some relief."

Badminton is the national sport in Indonesia and the final was
screened live to the country's 200 million people. An estimated
70 percent of the population watched the 1996 final between
Indonesia and Denmark.

Frost paid tribute to the fighting spirit of his team and
complimented the victors.

"We lost to a better side -- they were slightly better than
us," he said. "We fought every inch of the way and had our
chances but they slipped away. It's disappointing to lose but
that's life."

Malaysia's All-England finalist Ong Ewe Hock took the opening
match against former world champion Heryanto Arbi, whose movement
was restricted by a calf injury.

Ong was fired up for the encounter and took full advantage of
Arbi's lack of speed around the court to win 18-14 15-7.

Olympic champion Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky survived some
nervous moments to beat the world's top ranked pair Cheah Soon
Kit and Yap Kim Hock 15-3 18-15.

The Indonesians opened up a 13-6 lead in the second game but
faltered with victory in sight and Cheah and Yap edged into a 14-
13 advantage. But Subagja turned the match back the Indonesians
way with some fine serving and powerful smashes.

Hendrawan, who was on the verge of being dropped from the
national squad last year, won the vital third match to put the
holders within touching distance of the title.

The Indonesian had beaten Yong in the team's group encounter
and struck back from 13-6 behind to win the opener 18-14. He lost
his way when leading 9-5 in the second and a string of unforced
leaders handed the game to Yong.

Hendrawan regrouped for the final assault and his more
aggressive tactics paid dividends.

"In the second game I tried to be a bit showy and made too
many unforced errors," he said. "My coach told me to play faster
in the decider and that worked. I am really happy with what I did
today -- I was playing so badly last year and thought I would be
dropped from the squad. That made me train harder."

World champion Candra Wijaya and Budiarto Sigit, who have had
an invincible air about them this week, overpowered Lee Wan Wah
and Choon Tan Fook 15-11 15-12 to clinch the tie and spark
emotional scenes amongst the flag-waving Indonesian supporters.

Joko Suprianto had to struggle hard before he was beaten by
Roslim Hashim 10-15, 15-11, 2-15.

Indonesia's victory was applauded by spectators at the Queen
Elizabeth stadium. The players and officials carried on their
back team manager Agus Wirahadikusuma, Antara reported from Hong
Kong

The Indonesian women's Uber Cup team, who lost to China 1-4 on
Saturday, was expected to leave Hong Kong today and upon arrival
in Jakarta, the team will be greeted by State Minister for Youth
and Sports Affairs Agung Laksono.

The women's team was scheduled to meet President B.J. Habibie
but the date is yet to be decided.

Results

Ong Ewe Hock (Mas) bt Heryanto Arbi (Ina) 18-14, 15-7
Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) bt Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock
(Mas) 15-3, 18-15
Hendrawan (Ina) bt Yong Hock Kin (Mas) 18-14, 10-15, 15-5
Candra Wijaya/Budiarto Sigit (Ina) bt Lee Wan Wah/Choong Tan Fook
(Mas) 15-11, 15-12
Roslin Hashim (Mas) bt Joko Suprianto (Ina) 15-10, 11-15, 15-2