Injured Marlev dropped, Budi called in for Asiad

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) named Budi Santosa a last minute substitute for the injured Marlev Mainaky on Friday for the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok next month.

Head of PBSI training center and top coach Christian Hadinata said world number 24 Budi was the fittest among the players left in stock, but problems still linger.

Christian insisted that Budi play second singles as world 14th ranked Marlev was supposed to as part of a strategy, but Budi's current world ranking would see him placed only as the third singles behind teenager Taufik Hidayat.

Brunei Open champion Taufik is 18th in the latest world rankings. World number five Hendrawan is certain to top the Indonesian men's lineup.

"Budi will be allowed to play second singles if he at least reaches the quarterfinals in the Hong Kong Open next week," Christian said.

The tournament will serve as the final warm-up for the continent's shuttlers before the Asiad. The Asian Badminton Confederation will announce the seeds for the Asiad badminton competition after the tournament.

Indonesia will enter the Asian Games as the defending men's team champion.

Budi, the Indonesia Open runner-up to Malaysia's Yong Hock Kin, said he was more suited to playing the second singles.

"I have a great chance of beating the Chinese and Malaysian second-stringers and securing a point for Indonesia," Budi said after an Asian Games simulation match.

"China looks to field Luo Yigang while Malaysia will choose Roslin Hashim for the second singles match. I'm optimistic I can overcome them.

"The story would be different if I played third singles players like Dong Jiong or Liu Yong of China or Malaysia's Wong Choon Han," Budi added.

The Asiad-bound men's trio of Hendrawan, Budi and Taufik were made to struggle by their teammates on Friday.

Hendrawan was taken to the limit by Irwansyah before winning 15-11, 13-15, 15-10. Budi narrowly beat Jeffer Rosobin 12-15, 15- 4, 15-11 and Taufik outlasted Indra Wijaya 9-15, 15-10, 15-9.

PBSI vice chairman, Agus Wirahadikusumah, said that Marlev's knee injury would heal soon but "will need further medical treatment to completely recover." (yan)

Results (Asiad-bound players named first)

Men's singles: Hendrawan bt Irwansyah 15-11, 13-15, 15-10 Budi Santosa bt Jeffer Rosobin 12-15, 15-4, 15-11 Taufik Hidayat bt Indra Wijaya 9-15, 15-10, 15-9

Women's singles: Mia Audina bt Ellen Angelinawati 11-6, 11-8 Meiluawati lost to Lydia Djaelawijaya 10-13, 3-11 Cindana bt Yuli Marfuah 11-4, 11-6

Men's doubles: Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky bt Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian 15-2, 15-5 Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan lost to Halim Heryanto/Sigit Budiarto 15-9, 8-15, 15-17

Women's doubles: Elysa/Minarti Timur bt Etty Tantri/Cynthia Tuwankotta 15-10, 15-3 Carmelita/Indarti Issoliana bt Vita Marissa/Angelina de Pauw 15- 13, 15-7

Mixed doubles: Tri Kusherjanto/Minarti Timur bt Bambang Suprianto/Zelin Resiana 17-15, 8-15, 15-11 Budi Santosa/Meiluawati lost to Wahyu Agung/Emma Ermawati 6-15, 6-15