Indonesia confident double is in reach

JAKARTA (JP): Host Indonesia is confident that it has all what it takes to notch a double by winning both the Thomas and Uber Cups this year.

"It is the right time to regain the two coveted trophies," team manager Lutfi Hamid told a pre-match press conference yesterday.

He said Indonesia's semifinal victories lifted the confidence and morale of his players. "The players are in the right psychological frame of mind having passed the tough tests in the semifinals with flying colors."

Former men's doubles specialist Christian Hadinata, now one of the national coaches in charge of the men's doubles, told newsmen during a practice session yesterday that Indonesia is well on course to winning the Thomas Cup.

"We are just one step away from lifting the cup we last won in 1984. However, we must not underestimate the Malaysians," he said. "They have been playing well."

As expected, Indonesia demolished South Korea 4-1 in Wednesday's semifinal, setting up the prospect of an epic clash with long-standing rival Malaysia, the defending champion which beat Indonesia in the 1992 final in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia powered its way to its fourth successive final by subduing China, 4-1 in Tuesday's semifinal.

Indonesia, which has the world's top three singles players has been picked by most pundits as the overwhelming favorite in the final.

The Malaysians will have to pull up their socks if they hope to beat the in-form Indonesians, who will undoubtedly have the fanatical backing of 10,000-odd supporters.

Indonesia has won the cup a record eight times, including four times in a row before China came storming onto the stage by dethroning the cup holder in 1982. But Indonesia recaptured badminton's blue ribbon, edging out China 3-2 in 1984 in Kuala Lumpur.

China came back with a vengeance in the 1986 final in Jakarta to reclaim the title with a cliff-hanging 3-2 triumph over the hosts. China retained the trophy by beating Malaysia in the 1988 and 1990 finals, before losing to the same rival in the 1992 final in Kuala Lumpur.

Indonesia's only Uber Cup success came in 1975 with a 5-2 victory over holder Japan here in Jakarta.

Indonesia will make its sixth appearance in the women's cup final today, tackling holder China, the same team which nipped Indonesia 3-2 in their last final showdown here in 1986.

Mental

Christian said that the key determining factor for the final outcome is the player's mental strength.

"There is no serious problem concerning the boys' technical skills," he added. "The challenge lies in their mental strength."

He cited that the players must be able to overcome the psychological burden which is bound to arise in a team tournament.

"It's clear that Hariyanto was not mentally strong Wednesday night," Christian said.

Hariyanto Arbi, the reigning All England champion whose 22 years of age makes him the youngest player on Indonesia's squad, was unexpectedly demolished by the unrated Park Sung-woo in 16- 17, 1-15.

Lutfi kept his final lineup secret, but said he was satisfied with his two world beating doubles team. "We are thinking hard over the best singles composition," he said without going into details.

Indonesian world number one duo of Rudy Gunawan and Bambang Suprianto have beaten the Malaysian ace pair Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang three times in their four meetings, while world number two Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja have never played their Malaysian opponents Tan Kim Her and Yap Kim Hock.

Lutfi also said that Indonesia will bank on world women's singles champion Susi Susanti and world number two pair of Lili Tampi and Finarsih to win the first two matches in the Uber Cup.

"A 2-0 lead will determine whether we capture the cup pride or not," he said.

Chinese manager Li Yongbo expressed the same confidence as he promised to retain the trophy for a record seventh successive time. "It will be difficult to beat Susi, but we will take two other singles and the second doubles," he said.

China's Ye Zhaoying and company scored a 3-2 hard-earned but well-deserved victory over unrated Sweden in Wednesday's semifinals.

Relaxed

During yesterday's practice, the Indonesian men's shuttlers appeared relaxed and confident. Their agility and powerful strokes repeatedly drew cheers and amazement from the session's 30 spectators, mostly comprised of curious fans and newsmen.

Some players, particularly Bambang and Gunawan were full of humor.

"Why do I have to run around while you get to stand still on one spot?," asked Bambang jokingly to his mentor Christian.

"My time has passed, it's your turn to break some sweat," the veteran, whose long grayish hair gives him a charismatic air, calmly replied.

Hariyanto was also present in the session. The team management, however, asked the reporters not to bug him with questions about his performance Wednesday night.

As the dusk begins to kick in, Christian called the team for a quick briefing and a prayer.

"Our struggle is only one step away, let's go and do the rest," the veteran said. (hdj/amd)