Indonesia still has chances against China: Soerjadi

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is still optimistic it can win its semifinal against China in the Sudirman Cup , the Badminton Association of Indonesia's chairman, Soerjadi, said Thursday.

Soerjadi, who watched Indonesia's 2-3 loss to Denmark, said Indonesia still had a chance against China although it was slim.

"But it doesn't mean we don't have any chance at all," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

With the unexpected results, Indonesia has to work harder to beat China, which beat South Korea 3-2, in the semifinals today.

"To be frank, our psychological burden becomes greater when facing China compared to South Korea," he said.

Soerjadi said he was worried Indonesia would fail to reach the finals if players performed poorly.

"Some players are still nervous, for example, the newly- partnership mixed doubles of Flandy Limpele and Minarti Timur. They both seemed shocked and did not know what to do. On the contrary, their opponents were in top form," he said.

In the men's singles Indonesia Hariyanto Arbi lost to Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen 16-17, 15-12, 4-15, while women's doubles pair Helene Kirkeegard/Rikke Olsen upset Eliza/Zelin Resiana 17-14, 14-17, 15-10. In the mixed doubles Flandy/Minarti failed to overcome Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen 6- 15, 12-15.

Olympic gold medalists Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky's 18-15, 15- 12 win over Jan-Holst Christensen/Michael Soogard and Susi Susanti's win over Camilla Martin 11-6, 11-3 narrowed Indonesia loss.

Soerjadi said the worst results had been anticipated before the team left Jakarta.

"There must be a way to anticipate the results. And don't forget that we're still half way," he said.

Soerjadi said Indonesian shuttlers must learn from their failure to beat Denmark. "If they didn't lose, they wouldn't be alert for the next match."

China will probably field its top shuttlers Dong Jiong and Ye Zhaoying in the men's and women's singles.

On the other hand, Denmark's team manager Henrik Lyngbe, said he was satisfied with Hoyer-Larsen and Kirkegaard/Olsen's performances.

"I'm very satisfied because this is the first time we have beaten Indonesia in the Sudirman Cup championship," he said.

"We were able to steal one point in the women's doubles. That's the key of our success thanks to our high speed practicing system," he said. (yan)