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.