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

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)