Indonesia still has chances against China: Soerjadi
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)