Indonesia to play Denmark in Uber semis
Indonesia to play Denmark in Uber semis
HONG KONG (Agencies): Mia Audina, a teenage heroine for Indonesia in its last two Uber Cup women's team badminton triumphs, lifted her game yesterday to help the holder to a vital win over South Korea.
Indonesia's 3-2 victory ensured it finished top of group B and will meet group A runner-up Denmark in the semifinals tomorrow. The other semifinal pit hot favorite China, which blanked Denmark 5-0 later yesterday, against South Korea.
The results meant China and Indonesia stayed on collision course for a rematch in the Uber Cup final. Indonesia gave up to China in an energy-saving group match, only to upset the favorite in the 1996 final.
Both Indonesia and South Korea had already qualified for the last four but with top spot at stake there was no lack of passion or commitment in the encounter.
China and Denmark, both already through to the semis as well. But the European side seemed resigned to defeat before the tie and rested world number two Camilla Martin.
China manager Li Yongbo said his team was offered no resistance going into the semifinals.
"The real competition begins in the semifinals. The team's performance up to now has been what we expected," he said.
World number 10 Mia, who as a 14-year-old won the match that gave Indonesia a 3-2 victory over China in the 1994 final, recovered from losing the second game to Lee Joo-hyun to win 11- 5, 3-11, 11-5.
"When it was 1-1 I said to myself I did not want to lose and prayed to my God," said Mia. "I don't want to talk about the semifinal until it's decided who we play."
Former world number one Susi Susanti won the opening match with Kim Ji-hyun 11-2, 11-3 but Eliza and Rosiana Zelin were easily beaten by Ra Kyung-min and Jang Hye-ock, putting the pressure on Mia to perform.
The result was put beyond doubt by the youthful duo of Indarti Isolina and Deyana Lomban. With men's singles player Joko Suprianto leading the chants of encouragement, they beat Kim Shin-young and Kim Mee-hyang 15-10, 7-15, 15-7 in a match lasted almost 70 minutes.
"Korea is not a weak team and we played our strongest side as we had to win so we could play Denmark in the semis," said Indonesia's Uber Cup coach Imelda Wiguna. "We have prepared thoroughly for this event and all the players have watched videos of their likely opposition."
In the day's other group B match, England defeated the Netherlands 4-1 to finish in third position. In the remaining group A tie, Japan swept aside Hong Kong 5-0.