RI, China battle in Thomas and Uber

RI, China battle in Thomas and Uber

Zakki Hakim and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Titleholder Indonesia faces the prospect of a tough game with
top seed China with the two Asian and world badminton powerhouses
drawn in the same group for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup
competitions.

The men's Thomas Cup, the International Badminton Federation
(IBF)'s oldest trophy, and the women's version the Uber Cup will
be held in Jakarta from May 7 to May 16 at the Bung Karno Indoor
Stadium.

The draw, which was conducted on Friday, is expected to add an
extra dimension to the Thomas Cup.

Indonesian badminton officials and former players said that
despite being grouped with China, the men's team still had a good
opportunity to reach the finals, particularly with the home
advantage.

The 12 participating teams are divided into four groups of
three. The teams will play a round-robin competition in the
opening round, with group winners automatically moving into the
quarterfinals.

The second and third place group finishers will be paired
against teams from different groups in a knock-out round to
determine the final four places in the quarterfinals.

While expecting to take advantage of the home support,
Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Chairul
Tanjung said the grouping meant that Indonesia would not face
China in the knock-out phase.

If Indonesia, which is seeded fifth in the tournament, fails
to overcome China and finishes runner-up in Group A, Indonesia
will face the third place finisher from Group B, expected to be
either Germany or New Zealand, for a place in the quarterfinals.

Should the team advance, Indonesia will face a quarterfinal
match against the Group C winner, likely to be Malaysia.

If Indonesia can overcome Malaysia, Denmark would be the
likely opponent in the semifinals.

"The draw is a tough one for us, but it could be a blessing in
disguise," Tan Joe Hok, one of Indonesia's past stars, said.

While questioning Indonesia's fifth seed, Rudi Hartono, the
eight-time winner of the All England, said that it could benefit
the team by removing some of the pressure as the defending
champion.

The draw was attended by IBF vice president Charoen
Wattanasin, IBF executive board member Punch Gunalan, PBSI
officials and former badminton stars.

Separately on Friday, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul
Padmanagara said the Jakarta Police were ready to secure the
Thomas Cup and Uber Cup events.

"Even if the events were to happen tomorrow, we would be
ready," he said before meeting with IBF delegates at his office
on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta.