Indonesia expects to win group A of Asia Cup
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian team is optimistic that it will win the group A match of the A King Asia Cup badminton championship, which starts today, but not the entire US$150,000 tournament.
Coach Indra Gunawan yesterday praised Indonesia's young shuttlers -- Budi Santoso, Indra Wijaya, Jeffer Rosobin, Tony Gunawan and doubles Chandra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto -- but said that had yet to compete in a team event.
"We'll see if they can overcome the pressure in a team event. We're still worried about their inconsistent performances and only push them to win the group matches. Our target is to get to the finals," he said.
The Asia Cup, being staged for the first time at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium, features two singles and one doubles match for male shuttlers only.
Indra said he agreed with the decision made by the Badminton Association of Indonesia to only field juniors in the event.
"We would not field them in big tournaments like the Thomas Cup or Sudirman Cup championships. This tournament is the best way to give them experience in a team event," he said.
Indra said that all players showed up for practice yesterday morning. He said he was considering fielding all of them in the qualifying round to give the players a chance to get comfortable with the court.
He warned his players to be prepared for problems such as the lighting and the wind inside the stadium, and to not let them affect their performances. He added that the presence of so many young shuttlers would make the tournament more interesting for spectators.
"Since they are young players and because they rarely meet in international competitions, it is hard for us to predict who will win," Indra said.
Indonesia will face tough challenges from Malaysia and South Korea at the championships, which end Sunday. Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Thailand and India will also compete.
"We should not underestimate Taipei, which will feature Fung Permadi, and India. I'm sure two Indian shuttlers, who performed at the just-concluded India Open, will also play here," he said.
Fung, an Indonesian shuttler who plays for Taipei, said that the country would be sending juniors to the tournament, including Chien Yu Hsun and Huang Shuh Chung, runner-ups in the doubles at the 1996 World Junior Championship in Denmark.
Singles
Korea's team manager, Kim Young-man, is optimistic that his team will be able to defeat Japan. Against Malaysia on the third day of the tournament the team will rely on Park Sung-woo.
Malaysian coach Soffian Abubakar said that Malaysia will also rely on its number-one singles player, Ong Ewe Hock, against Korea.
"The first singles match is a critical match. If we win it, we can win the rest," he said.
World-number-one doubles Chandra and Sigit said they will be able to beat Korean's pair of Yoo Young-sun and Lee Dong-soo.
The association's secretary-general, RAJ Gosal, said that India had confirmed its participation and would send four athletes and two officials, though it has yet to send the players' names.
"We expect them to arrive here tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest," he said.
India replaced China after the latter withdrew from the tournament due to internal problems between officials and players.
Rudy Hartono, a representative from the Asia Badminton Confederation, said the executive committee would meet on Feb. 22 to discuss how China would be penalized.
"It's difficult to decide because China will be absent from the international tournament this month. If it sends players to the India Open, then it has to be punished," said Rudy.
Indonesia meets India and Taipei faces Thailand in today's group A matches. Hong Kong challenges Malaysia and Korea takes on Japan in group B.
Tickets for the qualifying round will cost between Rp 3,000 ($1.25) and Rp 7,500 and for the semifinals, while tickets for the finals will cost between Rp 5,000 and Rp 10,000. (yan)