Indonesia clears first hurdle in Asia Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Top seed and defending badminton champion Indonesia cleared its first hurdle at the US$170,000 Asia Cup in Singapore Indoor Stadium after taming host players -- mostly Indonesian-born -- 3-0 in the first round-robin match on Wednesday.

However, world number three Taufik Hidayat was stretched to the limit before overpowering Ronald Susilo -- Olympic gold medalist Candra Wijaya's brother in law -- 16-17, 17-14, 17-16 in the Group A match.

Japan Open winners Candra and Sigit Budiarto, who just reunited this year, were much too powerful for Lau Kim Pong Patrick and Aman Santoso with a 15-10, 15-7 victory.

Olympic silver medalist Hendrawan also had to struggle to eliminate Candra's older brother Indra Wijaya 8-15, 15-11, 15-11.

"Ronald has improved a lot while Taufik has yet to reach his peak form. Maybe because it's his first match here. On the other hand, maybe he was disturbed by the lights and wind at the stadium which make it difficult to control the shuttlecock. Meanwhile, Indra caused problems for Hendrawan," Candra told The Jakarta Post.

"As for us, we don't compromise with the opponents. Just beat them."

In another group match, South Korea was still too powerful for Hong Kong, beating them 3-0.

Lee Hyun-il opened his country's victory by defeating Agus Hariyanto 15-12, 15-9. Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung took the second point by beating Lin Kwok Wa and Albertus Susanto Njoto 15-7, 15-10. Shon Seong-mo sealed Korea's win after winning 15-9, 15-3 over Tam Kai Chuen.

In Group B, another favorite, China, had to swallow a bitter pill after being upset by Thailand 2-1. Thailand was included in the competition to replace India, which failed to send All England winner Pulella Gopichand.

Polsana Boonsak upset All England runner-up Chen Hong 17-15, 8-15, 15-4 but Chinese Zhang Jun and Zhang Wei managed to tie after defeating Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisavas 15-6, 12-15, 15-3.

Thai old hand Anupap Thiraratsakul relied on his experience to conclude victory in the decisive match against Chen Yu 14-17, 15- 12, 15-12.

Malaysia also earned a 3-0 victory over Japan. Ong Ewe Hock defeated Hidetaka Yamada 17-15, 15-3, Malaysia's doubles Chang Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng beat Keita Masuda and Tadeshi Ohtsuka 15-6, 15-9, while Yong Hock Kin beat Shinya Ohtsuka 15-6, 15-4.

Earlier, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) executive director Karsono said he had asked the association's West Java chapter chairman Lutfi Hamid to clarify Taufik's statement.

Taufik, playing for Lutfi's Sangkuriang Graha Sarana club, was quoted by AFP as saying that he would consider leaving the country should PBSI fail to extend coach Mulyo Handoyo's contract, which will end after both major events in Seville, Spain, from May 28 to June 10. Taufik himself denied the report.

Lutfi told the Post that he had yet to speak to Taufik but would head to Singapore on Friday.

"He was only worried about his future at the center without Mulyo. He's just too emotional," Lutfi said from Bandung.

"I hope PBSI officials can step back from responding to the issue and accommodate Taufik's desire for the sake of national badminton in the country. (nvn/yan)