Shuttlers dream of fifth Thomas Cup win in a row

Shuttlers dream of fifth Thomas Cup win in a row

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

National shuttlers' poor performance in the previous four Grand
Prix series has not hampered their ambition to create new history
in badminton by defending the Thomas Cup, the most prestigious
men's team event, for a fifth consecutive time.

"We have managed to defend the trophy 12 times in 21 finals.
We also managed to win four times in a row. We managed to wipe
out all doubt in previous events, so why don't we set a higher
goal of defending the Cup for a fifth consecutive time?" men's
doubles Candra Wijaya asked The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"I believe all players in the team have very strong motivation
now. The spirit will grow stronger as soon as we arrive in
Guangzhou, China."

Indonesia -- comprising men's singles Hendrawan, Marlev
Mainaky, Taufik Hidayat, Rony Agustinus and Budi Santoso and
men's doubles Candra, Sigit Budiarto, Halim Heryanto, Tri
Kusheryanto and Bambang Suprianto -- will defend the trophy from
May 9 to May 19.

National shuttlers must beat their rivals from Malaysia,
Thailand and newcomer Germany in Group B before facing the
runner-up of Group A, comprising host China, South Korea, Denmark
and Sweden, in the semifinals.

A similar ambition was also expressed by Sigit, first singles
Marlev and third singles Hendrawan.

"The pressure in the Thomas Cup is so strong but if we can
win, the meaning of the victory will be extraordinary," Marlev
said.

Marlev, the Swiss Open winner, admitted that many have
predicted Indonesia would not earn a point from the first
singles.

"I realize that many underestimate me, but I'm focusing hard
on winning all matches," said Marlev, who won the decisive match
against Denmark in the 2000 Thomas Cup semifinals.

Hendrawan, who was the first singles two years ago, pointed
out that the shuttlers' poor performance in the Grand Prix series
would not influence their performance at the Thomas Cup.

"I believe we can also perform well in Guangzhou," he said.

"The Thomas Cup is a very prestigious event and as the
titleholder, we want to keep it at home. Therefore all shuttlers
have developed teamwork to achieve that goal," Sigit added.

The four shuttlers saw the advantage of the grouping but are
fully aware of the other three countries' strengths.

"Being able to qualify for the Thomas Cup for the first time
will make the Germans more dangerous. They have a fighting
spirit, although perhaps technically we are better," said Sigit.

He also saw Malaysia as the toughest rival in the group with
Thailand as a dark horse.

Candra thinks the International Badminton Federation (IBF)'s
decision to use the new scoring system of the best of five games
in seven points will give a bigger chance for men's doubles to
win.

But Hendrawan expressed concern at not having enough
confidence in playing in the new scoring system.

"It's going to be the hardest Thomas Cup for me. Technically I
have enough preparation but psychologically I'm still not sure of
my chances," he said.

With only three days before their departure to Guangzhou on
Monday, the shuttlers called on officials to stop spouting empty
rhetoric and having ceremonial events.

"I hope the officials can also feel our burden and stress.
They must set examples for us," Candra said.