Indonesia stumbles out of Uber Cup
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.