Indonesia wary of KL girls in Uber Cup test

Indonesia wary of KL girls in Uber Cup test

KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Indonesia is getting wary of Malaysia's
euphoria in the last round-robin match of the pink group in the
Uber Cup championships Monday considering their excellent
aggressiveness against Japan Saturday.

Team manager Sumaryono hoped national shuttlers managed to
accomplish the mission of qualifying for the semifinals by
defeating Malaysia Monday.

"Regarding Malaysia's performance last night, I believed our
shuttlers will have tough matches, especially in the doubles,
where the host managed to defeat Japan," said Sumaryono Sunday at
the Mines Beach Resort and Spa.

"The Malaysian shuttlers have better stamina and endurance
compared to our athletes. They didn't seem exhausted at all after
the match. Should our athletes fight them spiritlessly, it won't
be enough."

Sumaryono said he would ask three women's coaches -- Imelda
Wigoeno, Liang Chiusia and Retno Kustiyah -- for an evaluation
Sunday night to discuss a strategy to beat Malaysia.

Fielding Lidya Djaelawidjaja as the first singles is believed
to give an unlikely win over Malaysia. With support from local
fans, Lidya may be unable to overcome the pressure, especially
after her second loss here to Camilla Martin of Denmark Saturday.

It will be better for Indonesia to field Ellen Angelina in the
first singles, followed by Yuli Marfuah and Niniek Masrikah. In
the doubles, Indonesia will likely field Etty Tantri and Cynthia
Tuwankotta and old partnership of Minarti Timur and Zelin
Resiana. Putting Elysa Nathanael and Deyana Lomban on the bench
might be considered as a wise decision, looking at Elysa's slow
movement during her two matches.

Cynthia said: "I have observed Malaysia's second doubles form.
Etty and I have discussed our strategy to overcome them. It's
more important for us to keep focused on the contest, ignoring
the thunderous support from local fans. The key is not to make
unforced errors."

Observer Iie Sumirat, a former coach of Taufik Hidayat,
suggested Indonesia to be daring in changing the line-up
considering the poor form in earlier singles matches.

"Their playing doesn't show any results of long-term training
programs. I think it would be better to field younger players who
will fight with mounting motivation instead of a senior who turns
out to be a liability to the team."

Optimism

On the other hand, Malaysia's team manager Lim Teong Kiat
expressed optimism at having a second chance to reach the
semifinals after losing to Denmark and Japan.

"We have the chance to qualify especially with home crowd
support. But we must beat Indonesia first. We may be already out
of the game but hopefully our players can be spoilers in
tomorrow's match," he said.

"Our girls are motivated to prove to our press and public that
they can give a fight and contribute points to their country."

Malaysia is likely to field the same line-up of Ng Mee Fen,
Wong Miew Kheng and Woon Sze Mei in the singles and Lim Pek Siah
and Joanna Quay in the first doubles and Ang Li Peng and Chor
Hooi Yee in the second doubles.

In another group match, Denmark is likely to ensure its group
winner position in the match against Japan. Japan and Indonesia
are in the same position of one loss and one win in the
standings.

In the purple group, the Netherlands and Sweden will fight to
avoid relegation from the elite group. China, already threatening
to bring home the Uber Cup for the seventh time, will make every
effort to halt South Korea. (yan)