Indonesia men's team jumps to seventh at Bermuda Bowl

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's men collected two victories on the third day at the Bermuda Bowl in Paris bridge championship to improve its position to seventh in the standings, while criticism is beginning to grow at home over their female compatriots performance thus far.

The men's team, playing with its best combined line-up of Henky Lasut/Eddy Manoppo and Denny Sacul/Franky Karwur, Indonesia crushed the 1996 Olympiad champion and host France 25-5.

They followed that up with a disappointing 16-14 victory over Guadeloupe. Henky was then rested due to a recurrence of high blood pressure.

The team of Santje Panelewen/Robert Tobing did not appear to emulate the playing standards of their seniors as the team conceded a 12-18 loss to Argentina, which has come to Paris with the tournament's youngest player ever in 14-year-old Agustin Madala.

Despite being able to crack the top eight on the leaderboard with 140 points, the team still lamented the missed opportunity to take more points from unheralded Guadeloupe, a tiny island in the Caribbean with a population of less than 500,000.

"Although playing with the team of Henky, Eddy, Denny and Franky, Indonesia could do little," coach Bert Toar Polii said from Paris, adding that luck had also been a factor.

"There were two boards in which Indonesia should have won more points. But Guadeloupe, with the suits theoretically being far from 'bid game', managed to break in thanks to a very fortunate set of cards," Bert said.

Henky too expressed his dismay, saying: "I don't know why we have always been unlucky against Guadeloupe in big events like this."

Indonesia is now braced for a stiff challenge from Poland and United States II, both teams topping the table after nine of 17 sessions completed.

"The players look relaxed and ready for the fight. They have a good deal of optimism after qualifying for the quarterfinals. Also in our favor is that we rarely lose to Poland," Bert said.

Unlike their male compatriots, the Indonesian women have fared far below par at the Venice Cup, collecting an overall 100 points and being only better than India and Venezuela in the 18-strong field.

The showing to date has raised concerns at home over the selection of the team, particularly the inclusion of rookies Suci Amita Dewi and Kristina Wahyu.

"Some of the bridge-crazed folks back in Jakarta have raised their complaints. Why, in such an important world event like the Venice Cup, don't we bring the best bridge players we have? If they need international experience, why weren't they fielded in international tournaments that were not as important as the Venice Cup?," Jappy Konjongian, a bridge observer, questioned.

Jappy, who is also a staff member of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi), said that a poor showing by the Indonesian ladies at the Venice Cup could create a negative affect not only on the development of bridge at home but also for Indonesia's image around the world.

"Look, Indonesia's selection to host the next championship was, in part due to the fine record the women had begun to show," Jappy said. Indonesia had previously been chosen to host the event, but the World Bridge Federation (WBF) canceled it due to security concerns throughout Indonesia.

Provisional standings

Bermuda Bowl: 1/2. Poland, U.S. II, 176 VP (Victory Points), 3. Egypt 157 VP, 4. Italy 156 VP, 5/6. Norway, U.S. I, 155 VP, 7. Indonesia 140 VP, 8. Brazil 137 VP, 9. India 136 VP, 10. Argentina 135 VP, 11. France 131 VP, 12. Israel 127 VP, 13. Japan 126 VP 14. Russia 123.1 VP, 15. Australia 113.9 VP, 16. Guadeloupe 98 VP, 17. New Zealand 95 VP, 18. Hong Kong 79 VP.

Venice Cup: 1. France 183 VP, 2. Britain 173 VP, 3. China 169 VP, 5. South Africa 158 VP, 6/7. Austria, US I, 156 VP, 8. Germany 141 VP, 9. Israel 136 VP, 10. U.S. II 130 VP, 11. Italy 129 VP, 12. Canada 125.6 VP, 13. Australia 120 VP, 14. Japan 121 VP, 15. Brazil 113.5 VP, 16. Indonesia 100 VP, 17. India ????, 18. Venezuela ????.