Indonesia, Denmark set for tough semifinal encounter

Indonesia, Denmark set for tough semifinal encounter

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Guangzhou, China

As Indonesia's men shuttlers enter the latter stages of their
campaign to write badminton history, the Danes have more modest
goals for their Thomas Cup semifinals match on Friday evening.

Defending Thomas Cup champion Indonesia has raised the coveted
cup four times in a row since 1994, and is aiming for a record
fifth. The Danish squad, on the other hand, is looking to avenge
its defeat to the Indonesians in the 2000 Thomas Cup semifinals
in Kuala Lumpur.

Entering the semifinals full of confidence after winning Group
B, Indonesia is striking a careful tone when discussing its
chances against Denmark, who was the runner-up in Group A.

"We cannot underestimate Denmark's strength because the Danes
are good shuttlers," said Indonesian team manager, Christian
Hadinata.

"It's going to be a tough match as Denmark doesn't have any
pressure, unlike us who want to make history. They are also
drawing motivation from their loss to us (at the 2000 Thomas
Cup)," he added.

Indonesia lost only one game -- Marlev Mainaky fell 1-7, 2-7,
7-2, 5-7 to Wong Choong Han of Malaysia -- in three qualifying
round matches against Thailand, Malaysia and Germany.

Physical trainer Paulus Pasurney told The Jakarta Post that
the two-day rest before the semifinals would help the Indonesian
shuttlers recover somewhat.

"It is impossible to improve their level of physical fitness
now. But at least they will be able to recover after such a tough
match against the Malaysians during the qualifications," he said.

While Denmark is optimistic about its chances, it knows that
getting out of the semifinals will not be easy.

"Indonesia is still the favorite to meet China in the final.
But you never know as our doubles played extremely well against
the Koreans in the qualifying round," coach Jan Joergensen said.

"It may be difficult for us to win but the Indonesians will
not win it easily either."

Denmark is playing without its top shuttler, Peter Gade
Christensen, who is sitting out the campaign following a knee
surgery. But it still managed to finish second after host China.

Despite being in the tough Group A, Denmark only lost to
China, falling 2-3. The Danes denied the South Koreans' a
semifinals berth with a 3-2 win in a do-or-die match, and chalked
up a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Sweden.

Without Gade Christensen, Denmark is relying on 1997 World
Champion Peter Rasmussen. Although he had been out of action for
two years due to an ankle ligament injury, Rasmussen clinched the
European Championships title in April.

Due to his long absence, Rasmussen virtually has no world
ranking and is being used as the vital third singles for Denmark.

Against Denmark, Indonesia will be fielding its strongest
singles players. First singles Marlev is expected to repeat his
success of two years ago when he ousted Kenneth Jonassen in the
semifinals with the countries tied 2-2.

Taufik Hidayat and Hendrawan are likley to face Danish players
of Anders Boesen and Peter Rasmussen in the second and third
singles, respectively.

In the doubles, Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto, and Halim
Haryanto and Tri Kusheryanto will have a difficult task against
the Danish pairs of Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Jens Eriksen, and
Jonas Rasmussen and Lars Paaske.

The Danes have reached the semifinals by defeating some of the
best Chinese and Korean pairs. Paaske and Rasmussen defeated
China's Cheng Rui and Wang Wei and Korea's Lee Dong-soo and Yoo
Yong-soo. While Hansen and Eriksen enjoyed a victory over Zhang
Jun and Zhang Wei.