Seeded clubs cruise to badminton c'ships quarters

Seeded clubs cruise to badminton c'ships quarters

By Novan Iman Santosa

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Seeded badminton clubs,
mostly from Java, proved their power over non-Javan clubs in final
round-robin matches at the Inter-club National Badminton
Championship at Hasanuddin HM sports hall on Thursday.

Top seed and favorite Jaya Raya of Jakarta, relying mostly on
its world class shuttlers, crushed host Rajawali 5-0 in group A.

Lidya Djaelawidjaya, currently ranked world number eight, easily
defeated Dina Kartika 11-1, 11-1 in the women's singles. Junior
Hendra Setiawan beat Herry Cahyadi 15-5, 15-6 in the men's
singles.

Women's doubles Deyana Lomban and Indarti Issoliana crushed
Dewi Hurai and Debby Cynthia 15-1, 15-1 while the Sydney Olympics
gold medalists Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan barely sweated out
to eliminate Bebeto and Thio A 15-2, 15-1 in the men's doubles.

Bambang Santoso and Emma Ermawati sealed Jaya Raya's victory
by defeating Edwin and Dewi Hurai 15-3, 15-3 in the mixed
doubles.

Surabaya-based Surya Naga Gudang Garam also easily defeated
Pusri of Palembang, South Sumatra, 5-0 in group B.

Yenny Diah opened her team's victory by crushing Erti Triani
15-2, 15-0 in women's singles followed by teammate Ronny
Agustinus who overcame Andy Ferry 15-4, 15-3 in the men's
singles.

Ernita and Yunita defeated Erti Triani and Dharma Gustiwati
15-3, 15-2 in the women's doubles while Tri Kusherjanto and Wahyu
Agung beat Ambo Anke and Ahmad Rifani 15-6, 15-10. Imam Tohari
and Angeline de Pauw completed Surya Naga's victorious campaign
by eliminating Ahmad Rifani and Dharma Gustiwati 15-3, 15-4 in
the mixed doubles. Jaya Raya will be challenged by Surya Naga
in Friday's quarterfinals encounter.

"We never underestimate our opponents and will always be
alert. Our players are ready to give their best," said Jaya Raya
coach Retno Kustiyah.

"We have estimated losing a point in the men's singles as
Surya Naga has Ronny. But we must secure another four points. We
can't afford to loose in those matches."

Surya Naga coach Wijanarko said his team would try to steal
points from the men's and women's singles and mixed doubles.

"I have to admit my players' skills are still under Jaya
Raya's shuttlers but they will do their best to try to steal some
points."

In group C, Sangkuriang Graha Sarana (SGS) of Bandung
overwhelmed PMS of Surakarta, Central Java, 5-0 to meet
Banjarmasin's Bina Benua which also won 5-0 over East Kalimantan
Public Works Agency in group D. SGS' Yuli Marfuah beat Sisi 11-4,
11-0 in the women's singles followed by teenage idol Taufik Hidayat
who seemed to have a little trouble over Darmawan in her first game
before winning it 15-8. In the second game, Taufik blanked Darmawan
15-0.

Yuli Marfuah and Rita Kristiane beat Yustina and Tri Asih 15-4,
15-1 in the women's doubles. Flandy Limpele and Halim Heryanto beat
Candra and Lukman 15-2, 15-7 in the men's doubles. Meanwhile Flandy
and Lita Nurlita crushed Bayu Radeha and Dwi Septi 15-0, 15-3 in
the mixed doubles.

"I consider Bina Benua to be a tough opponent because local people
will of course support their own team. We'll just field
our best players," SGS' manager Lutfi Hamid told reporters.

"But if we beat Bina Benua, we will face an even tougher
rival, most probably Jaya Raya. I hope my men's doubles of Flandy
and Halim will be able to beat Tony and Candra."

Mutiara Elvana of Bandung, managed by former women's singles
shuttler Ivana Lie, also reached the quarters after defeating
Klinik Sekanak of Palembang, South Sumatra, 5-0 in group E.

Elvana is scheduled to challenge group F winner Jakarta-based
Tangkas. Tangkas -- backboned by Olympic silver medalist
Hendrawan -- overcame ICLI Gowata of Makassar, South Sulawesi,
also with 5-0.

Defending champion Djarum Kudus of Central Java found no
trouble sending home Tirta Barito of Central Kalimantan 5-0.
Djarum -- which includes National Games gold medalist Johan
Hadikusuma and the 1997 world champion Sigit Budiarto in the
men's doubles -- will play Wima of East Java in another
quarterfinals match.

Winners of the quarterfinals will fight it out in Friday's
afternoon semifinals.