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.