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)
All England -- Page 10