Indonesia, S. Korea, Japan go to Uber Cup finals

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's women shuttlers will join South Korea and Japan in the Uber Cup finals in Kuala Lumpur in May, after defeating Hong Kong 3-1 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.

With a do-or-die spirit, first singles Lidya Djaelawidjaja opened Indonesia's victory by topping Ling Wan Ting 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 in 52 minutes.

Hong Kong managed to tie the match 1-1 after Koon Wai Chee defeated Indonesia second singles Ellen Angelina 7-11, 11-4, 11-8 in 40 minutes.

Third singles Yuli Marfuah, a last-minute replacement for national number one Cindana Hartono, upset Wang Chen, a Chinese national playing for Hong Kong, 11-9, 11-8 in only 35 minutes.

Indonesia's number one doubles team of Elysa Nathanael and Deyana Lomban sealed the victory by defeating Koon Wai Chee and Chan Mei Mei 15-13, 15-8.

Team manager Christian Hadinata told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview his shuttlers performed their best, as they had earlier against South Korea.

"I told the players to forget their fatigue and raise their motivation to earn a ticket to the finals of the competition. I was really surprise when they followed my instructions.

"Even though we only finished in third place, it's nothing to be ashamed of. We have fulfilled our mission of qualifying for the finals in Kuala Lumpur in May," he said.

Christian expressed hope the shuttlers' form would boost their motivation to achieve better results in other tournaments.

"They overcame the high-pressure matches here, and I hope they can also do the same thing in the individual tournaments, including the Swiss Open, All England and Japan Open, to improve their world rankings and qualify for the Olympics in Sydney in September," he said.

In an earlier match on Sunday, South Korea defeated Japan 3-2.

Korea, Japan and Indonesia will represent the Asia zone in the Uber Cup finals. They will be joined by defending champion China and host Malaysia.

In the Thomas Cup Asia zone finals, China overwhelmed South Korea 3-0, while host India overpowered Thailand 3-1.

India's Pullela Gopichand beat Polsana Boonsak of Thailand 6- 15, 15-7, 15-7. Thailand's doubles team of Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisavas evened the match by defeating India's team of Jaseel Ismail and Markose Bristow 5-15, 7-15.

Abhin Shyam Gupta earned a point for India by crushing Anuphap Thiraratsakul 15-7, 12-15, 15-11, while Gopichand and Vincent Lobo sealed India's victory by defeating Kitipon Kitikul and Khunakorn Sudhisodhi 15-11, 2-15, 15-12.

The three countries will join defending champion Indonesia and host Malaysia in the Thomas Cup finals.

In Sofia, Denmark beat the Netherlands 3-1. Both countries had already secured tickets to the Uber Cup finals. The winner of England and Sweden, which jumped to a 1-0 lead, will also advance to the Uber Cup finals from the European zone.

Denmark also earned a ticket to the Thomas Cup finals, along with Sweden and England.

England secured a place in the finals after overcoming Germany 3-0. (yan)