Indonesia strolls into Bermuda Bowl quarters

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia advanced to the Bermuda Bowl world bridge championship quarterfinals in Beijing on Friday despite a loss to South Africa in the final group round-robin match.

A lackluster Indonesian team gave up 11-19 to the South Africans, but that didn't stop Henky Lasut and company from assuring themselves of a quarterfinal berth, thanks to their 23-7 rout of Argentina.

The Indonesian players accumulated 227 Victory Points to finish third in the Group West, trailing group runner-up South Africa with just 1.5 points. France topped the group with 231 VP, with the Netherlands coming fourth to take the remaining quarterfinal place in the group.

In Group East, Canada, Sweden, host China and USA II reached the final eighth round after finishing first, second, third and fourth respectively.

A total of 16 teams qualified for the most prestigious men's bridge tournament, which will wind up on Friday. Another 16 teams are also competing in the Venice Cup women's championship at the same place.

Indonesia is fielding its best pairs of Hengky Lasut/Eddy Manoppo, Denny Sacul/Franky Karwur and Sance Panelewen/Giovanny Baratatulingas in the Bermuda Bowl.

"We will make it to the semifinals after this encouraging result, no matter who is our next opponent," Indonesian team manager Amran Zamzami expressed his guarded optimism.

"We just need to keep cool to win the next game since we have already met all the teams who qualify for the quarterfinals," Amran added.

Quarterfinalist teams will play in a knock-out format, which began late yesterday.

Amran, however, harbored worries about unprecedented bad luck. "Who knows why favorite USA II lost to Sweden and European champion Italy was upset by China?" he questioned.

USA II fell to fourth place from the top in Group East following a crushing 4-25 defeat to Sweden on Thursday. On the same day, China steamrolled Italy 22-8 to push the European side to sixth place. (amd)