Indonesia stumbles out of Uber Cup
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Guangzhou, China
Although it has yet to play the final Group match, the Indonesian Uber Cup team virtually went out of the world's women's team competition, which prompted the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) to pledge a drastic and comprehensive reform.
The Indonesian squad was thrown out of the race to semifinals after conceding two consecutive defeats at Group B qualifying round, the second loss coming in the hands of the Netherlands 3-2 on Saturday.
PBSI chairman Chairul Tanjung told Indonesian reporters that he took responsibility of the defeat and would plan further reform to improve the women's shuttlers performance.
"We have to swallow the bitter pills as we have been beaten twice and I take full responsibility of it," he said.
"The defeat has prompted us to take a drastic and stern measures to improve the shuttlers. We must realize that most of our senior shuttlers are getting older and it affects their performance," he added.
Chairul added he would discuss the matter further with training director Christian Hadinata and coaching members of staff.
"The measures will also include massive recruitment of qualified coaches but I can't say who are on our list."
The Dutch team was on such a high optimism in sending Indonesia out. It was their second win following their stunning victory over fellow Europeans Denmark 3-2 at Guangzhou's Tianhe Sports Center.
Indonesia's humiliating run started when Lidya Djaelawidjaja and Ellen Angelina lost to their respective opponents.
Motivation seemed deserted Lidya as she lost 2-7, 4-7, 2-7 to her former teammate Mia Audina Tjiptawan.
Ellen had to work hard to earn the first set before kneeling down 1-3 to Judith Meulendijks. Ellen wasted her 4-0 lead, though she could recover for an opening 8-6 win. But Meulendijks swept the remaining set 7-2, 7-1, 7-3.
Trailing 0-2, Indonesia banked hopes heavily on Yuli Marfuah, who faced European Championships bronze medalist Brenda Beenhakker in the crucial match for Indonesia.
Yuli caused worries in the Indonesian squad when she was beaten easily 1-7 in the first game with too many of her shots landed behind Beenhakker' line.
In the rest of the game, Yuli changed her strategy with more precise placing of the shuttlecocks, to wrap up the match 7-4, 7-3, 8-6 to give the Indonesian team an instant lifeline.
Her effort, however, was useless as second doubles Emma Ermawati and Minarti Timur failed to even the score against Mia and Lotte Jonathans. Emma and Minarti wasted their 7-0, 7-5 lead en route to their 4-7, 4-7, 5-7 crashing.
Indonesia reduced the deficit 3-2 after Deyana Lomban and Vita Marissa defeated Beenhakker and Karina de Witt.
In the other Uber Cup match, Hong Kong beat favorite Denmark 3-2 to go along the Dutch through to the semifinals.
Meanwhile in Thomas Cup qualifying round, South Korea defeated Sweden to open its chances of reaching the next stage. The win was important for the Koreans after being beaten by Denmark 3-2 on Thursday.
Host China also had a tight game against Denmark before sealing it 3-2 with Lin Dan deciding the tie over Peter Rasmussen.