Indonesia cruises to Bermuda quarters

Indonesia cruises to Bermuda quarters

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite an 8-22 loss to minnows New Zealand, Indonesia cruised
into the quarterfinals of the Bermuda Bowl, securing the last of
the eight qualifying places after 17 sessions were completed on
Saturday.

"The defeat did not result from a poor performance by the
players. It was just because New Zealand, which had nothing to
lose, played in such a wild manner," coach Bert Toar Polii said
diplomatically from Paris.

Indonesia's qualification was also helped by the other results
that saw Israel and Egypt, which ahead of the final session had
held equally realistic chances of going through, crash out at the
hands of their respective opponents.

Israel was crushed by France 6-24 while Egypt went down to
Norway by the same score.

The 1-to-4 ranked teams are free to choose any one of the
5-to-8 finishers as their opponents for the next round, with the
top team being given the first choice.

Leader Poland has chosen India, and runner-up Norway picked
Indonesia as its opponent in the quarterfinals, which are
expected to consist of six sessions, each with 16 boards.

The other two pairings pit U.S. II against France and 2000
Bermuda Bowl champion U.S. I against 2000 Olympiad champion
Italy.

It is the second back-to-back meeting between Indonesia and
Norway at the same stage. In the 2000 Bermuda Bowl in Bermuda
Island, Indonesia, which ended its preliminary matches in fifth
place was also paired with Norway.

Indonesia lost by a narrow 8.5 IMP (individual match points).
But this time around Indonesia might be a better chance, having
defeated the same opponent in the preliminary round.

However, the team refused to read too much in to the earlier
win, simply saying that both teams had equal chances.

"I guess the odds are rated at 50-50. Indonesia has come to
the championships with players holding a lot of international
experience while Norway boasts of its young starters," Bert said.

The Venice Cup, the women's version of the championships,
provided an upset as defending champion the Netherlands failed to
qualify.

The Dutchwomen dropped to ninth and were denied a place in the
top-eight battle that will now feature France against South
Africa, U.S. I against Germany, China against Austria and England
against U.S. II.