RI shuttlers secure semifinals berth at Asia Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia secured on Thursday a semifinal berth after eliminating Thailand in the round-robin Group B match of the US$100,000 JVC Asia Cup in Ho Chi Minh City. China, South Korea and Malaysia also cruised into the semifinals.

Taufik Hidayat, badminton's world number three player, defeated Boonsak Polsana 15-6, 17-14.

In a statement, team manager Leo Chandra Wiranata said Taufik won easily in the first game but made unforced errors in the second game as he rushed to conclude the match.

"Polsana is a tough player and he controlled the second game to lead 11-4 before Taufik managed to narrow the gap 9-11. Taufik managed to equal the scores at 11-11 before both players forced for a deuce. After three service overs, Taufik ended Polsana's fight to win 17-14."

World number two doubles players Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan beat the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalists Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisavas 15-11, 15-4.

Tony and Candra were down 1-4 before they took over the ball to lead 11-4. At one stage the Thais were trailing the All England champions 9-11. But the Indonesians were too powerful and ended the first game 15-11.

Pramote and Tesana did not fight as hard in the second game, giving an easy win of 15-4 to Candra and Tony.

Second singles player Hendrawan worked hard to defeat Anupap Thiraratsakul 15-12, 15-11.

"Hendrawan has yet to show his best performance during the Asia Cup. His opponent, who is one level below him, fought really hard, but Hendrawan, who is more experienced, managed to overcome the pressure at critical points," Leo said.

Indonesia was scheduled to face Malaysia on Friday evening.

Malaysia also reached the semifinals after beating Chinese Taipei 2-1.

Malaysia's first singles player Jason Wong unexpectedly lost to Liu Eng Horng 7-15, 15-7, 15-7. But the Malaysian pair of Rosman Razak and Chew Chun Eng equaled 1-1 after beating Hung Shin-Chung and Chien Yu-Hean 15-6, 15-6. In the decider, Ismail Saman defeated Chang Ten-Shyong 15-6, 15-13.

Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) training director Christian Hadinata said on Friday that Hendrawan must defeat Ismail.

"Hendrawan is not allowed to lose to Ismail, who is a very tough player. He always chases the ball all over the court," he said.

In Group A, top seeded China crushed India 3-0.

World number one Sun Jun had to work hard to overcome Abhin Shyam Gupta 15-8, 6-15, 15-5. Doubles Yu Jin Hao and Zhang Jun eliminated Jaseel Ismail and Markose 15-11, 6-15, 15-13. Cheng Hong also played a tough match to win over Ajit Wijetilek 15-5, 10-15, 15-12.

South Korea had an easy win over host Vietnam 3-0.

Korean first singles player Park Tae-sang beat Nguyen Phu Cuong 15-6, 15-3, while world number one doubles Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-kwon defeated Nguyen Phu Cuong and Tran Due Sang 15-7, 15-7. Second singles player Ahn Jae-chang won over Ho Van Loi 15- 1, 15-7. (yan)