Indonesia loses to China in Sudirman Cup final

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers failed to realize their goal of bringing home the Sudirman Cup for the first time in 12 years, bowing out to defending champion China 3-1 at the San Pablo Stadium in Seville, Spain, on Saturday.

China -- which eliminated 1999 runner-up and European powerhouse Denmark 3-2 in Friday's semifinals -- lifted the trophy for the fourth consecutive time since taking over the title from two-time winner South Korea in 1995.

Indonesia's sole victory in the biennial Sudirman Cup came in 1989, when the inaugural event was held in Jakarta.

Though it fell one step short of the title, Indonesia can take some small consolation from the fact that it managed to reach the final after losing in the 1997 semifinals to China and in the 1999 semifinals to Denmark.

Things got off to a promising start for Indonesia on Saturday, with 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medalists Tony Gunawan and Candra Wijaya defeating Zhang Jun and Zhang Wei 15-13, 15-1 in the opening match.

However, that proved to be Indonesia's sole win on the day. The women's doubles team of Deyana Lomban and Etty Tantri suffered a humiliating defeat to world number six Gao Ling and Huang Sui, being thrashed 15-1, 15-2 in 25 minutes.

In the vital men's singles match, world number 15 and Olympic silver medalist Hendrawan fell just short in an epic 73-minute battle, losing 12-15, 15-13, 15-10 to world number four Chen Hong.

Women's singles Olympic champion Gong Zhichao, who on Friday crushed world champion Camilla Martin of Denmark 11-1, 11-0, proved much too strong for world number 49 Yuli Marfuah. The Chinese shuttler made short work of her opponent, posting a 11-2, 11-5 win in 25 minutes and sealing her country's victory.

With the matter already settled, the mixed doubles match between Olympic champions Zhang Jun and Gao Ling and Indonesians Bambang Suprianto and Minarti Timur was not played.

Indonesian head coach Christian Hadinata told The Jakarta Post from the sidelines of the trophy awarding ceremony that his shuttlers performed their best, but still lacked the quality to overcome badminton powerhouse China.

"We don't have enough players that can match the skills of the Chinese shuttlers. If we lose in one event, it is difficult to win in the next.

"The key player was Hendrawan. We expected him to defeat Chen Hong based on his recent performances. I discussed the matter with the coaches and we made the decision to field him.

"Unfortunately, he fell more than five points behind in every game and he had to really expend his energy to try and catch up.

"It wasn't easy for him. Chen performed outstandingly and he was able to hang in there even when Hendrawan picked up the pace.

Hendrawan said he gave it his best effort but Chen just played too good.

"I have to admit that Chen played much better than I did today. Please send my apologies to badminton fans at home because I couldn't accomplish my task of winning the match," he told the Post.

All of the shuttlers will now take part in the World Championships beginning on Monday. Away from the court, the International Badminton Federation will elect its new president on Sunday. (yan)