Indonesian team faces powerful Uber Cup draw
Indonesian team faces powerful Uber Cup draw
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has been dubbed the red-hot favorite in the Thomas Cup men's team world badminton championship finals in Hong Kong next May, but the opposite fate looks to befall the country's Uber Cup team.
The draw announced by the International Badminton Federation in Cheltenham, England, yesterday placed Thomas Cup holder Indonesia in Group A with China, England and Sweden. Group B will feature Denmark, South Korea, Malaysia and host Hong Kong.
In the Uber Cup women's team finals, defending champion Indonesia is joined by China, Japan and Russia in Group A. European strong contenders Denmark and England line up Group B with host Hong Kong and South Korea.
In the finals -- scheduled for May 16 to 29 -- each team will play round robin matches. The two top teams advance to the cross- over semifinals, in which Group A winner plays Group B runner-up, and Group B champion meets Group A runner-up.
"Indonesia's chance to retain the Thomas Cup is 90 percent, but an exceptionally daunting task awaits its women's squad," former world champion Icuk Sugiarto said.
Icuk said that Indonesia has recently suffered a setback with its women's doubles players and, consequently, it would rely on its singles in the Uber Cup.
"I'm afraid that Indonesia doesn't even know who the best singles are to back up trump card Susi Susanti," Icuk said. "At the same time, Chinese singles and doubles players have become more mature."
Olympic gold medalist Susi spearheaded Indonesia to a hard- earned 3-2 win over China in the 1994 final here to win back the coveted trophy after 19 years. Debutant Mia Audina decided Indonesia's victory in a nerve-racking three-setter against Zhang Ning.
Injuries, however, dealt a major blow to Indonesia's badminton supremacy last season, with Susi and Mia joining the list of victims. Mia was the last to recover, but she has to prove her fitness in this week's All England in Birmingham.
Icuk, learning about Indonesia's slim chance in the Uber Cup, suggested that the title holder open the gate for young players to don the national colors in the biennial event.
"Although Indonesia might flop in the Cup finals, its brave option to field more newcomers would help it win in the future," said Icuk.
Thomas Cup
Icuk predicted that Indonesia's Thomas Cup challenge would not be as tough as it was two years ago.
"Indonesia is enjoying an over-supply of first class men's players. It needs only to think of a clever strategy to pick the right line-up," said Icuk, who played five Thomas Cup finals for Indonesia from 1982 to 1990. Icuk was crowned world champion in 1983.
He admitted that the Indonesian men's shuttlers have slightly lessened their form. "But other teams suffered an even worse setback," Icuk said.
Indonesia, fielding its all-conquering team, seized the Cup back from holder Malaysia two years ago with a convincing 3-0 win. Angry fans who provoked Malaysian players led to a stoppage of the final here.
Icuk turned down the possibility to insert newcomers into the defending champion's team. "They should not do that unless they lose their magic," he said.
The Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finalists will play three singles and two doubles format.
The Thomas Cup will stage its 19th finals, while the Uber Cup its 16th. Hong Kong will play host to both world team championships at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. (amd)
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