RI reaches quarterfinals, meets Malaysia

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

Indonesia will meet archrival Malaysia in the 2004 Thomas Cup men's team badminton championship quarterfinals after the home team crushed New Zealand 3-0 in Tuesday's playoff.

Malaysia automatically entered the quarters after winning two matches against Thailand and newcomer South Africa 5-0 each in Group C.

The Indonesian girls also managed to reach the quarters by defeating Germany 3-0 and will now challenge second seeded South Korea, which topped group Z by overwhelming Australia and Canada 5-0 each.

In the one-sided match on Tuesday, the Kiwis posed little challenge against the Indonesians, unlike Monday's 5-0 loss to the Chinese.

Sony Dwi Kuncoro was barely sweating after thrashing New Zealander John Moody 15-3, 15-2 in the first singles match.

Changing the line up by fielding Simon Santoso as the second singles -- to replace Taufik Hidayat who was reported to the police on Monday over "unpleasant conduct" -- the 18-year-old Indonesian did not have any trouble defeating Geoffrey Bellingham 15-3, 15-2.

Doubles team of Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven Yulianto were far too fast for New Zealand's pair of Daniel Shirley and John Gordon and won 15-5, 15-8.

South Africa -- which managed to battle its way into the championships following the International Badminton Federation (IBF) new rules to enable representatives of each continent in the biennial event -- bowed out to Japan in the playoffs 3-0. Japan will now take on badminton powerhouse China, which topped Group A after crushing Indonesia and the United States 5-0 each.

Thailand defeated England 3-1 to meet South Korea in the quarters. Thailand's first singles player Boonsak Polsana had to play a third set to win over England's Aamir Ghafar 13-15, 15-13, 15-11.

"I wasn't very confident that I would win because I have a personal problem. It's good that I finally won," Polsana told The Jakarta Post after the game.

World number 11 pair Nathan Robertson and Anthony Clark evened the score by beating the Thai duo of Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Panvisvas 6-15, 15-9, 10-15.

Thirayu Laohathaimongkol of Thailand beat England's third singles Andrew South 15-11, 15-6 while doubles pair Sudket Prapakamol and Patapol Ngernsrisuk ensured a Thai victory by defeating Robert Blair and David Lindley 17-14, 15-9.

Lindley was warned by the umpire for throwing his racket out of frustration.

As for the Uber Cup team, Indonesia's first singles Silvi Antarini won 11-6, 13-11 over Xu Huaiwen of Germany, followed by second singles Maria Kristin victory over Juliene Schenk 11-8, 1- 11, 11-4.

Germany's third singles Nicole Grether surrendered to Firdasari 11-7, 11-8, giving Indonesia a 3-0 victory over Germany.

Malaysia's Uber Cup team also won 3-0 over Australia paving the way to the quarterfinals. It will play against defending champion China on Wednesday. The Netherlands also won 3-0 over the South Africans to face Denmark in the quarterfinals.

Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Netherlands -- which beat Canada 3-0 and will now meet Chinese Taipei -- all move on to the quarters.