Indonesia looks for 5-0 win over U.S.

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

The Indonesian Thomas Cup team is looking for a perfect win over the United States as the defending champion begins its quest for a record six-in-a-row win in the badminton men's team championship here on Saturday.

Joko Supriyanto, the Indonesian men's singles coach, said that they would go all out for a 5-0 win.

"We'll try to get a 5-0 score as all the games will be played in the preliminary round. We've got to win as many points as possible to make the next stage a bit easier," Joko said.

Being in the same group as China, Indonesia faces an uphill task in its chase for two wins so as to automatically qualify for the quarterfinals.

Team manager Christian Hadinata admitted his team's match against China would be tough but said the immediate task at hand was to dispose of the U.S.

Christian refused to reveal as yet who would be the first singles to play given the choice between Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Taufik Hidayat, both finalists at the Asian Championship, which Taufik won.

Ranking-wise, Sony, who is ninth in the world, should be given the place over Taufik, who is only ranked 17th. The third singles place will be decided between Simon Santoso and Wimpie Mahardi.

Indonesia's top pairs, Alven Yulianto and Luluk Hadiyanto, and Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian are expected to play against the U.S.

However, Christian said that it would still be possible for the new pairing of Candra Wijaya and Tri Kusharjanto to play a stand-in role.

Meanwhile, Tony Gunawan, the former Indonesian star who now plays for the U.S., confirmed on Thursday that he would not play in the match against his former teammates.

"I don't feel right about playing against my own friends. That's all," said Tony, who also acts as a coach.

The American team is competing with only five members, the rest of whom are Kevin Han, Eric Go, Howard Bach, and Khan Bob Malaythong.

Other matches in the Thomas Cup are South Africa vs. Thailand and Germany vs. New Zealand.