Susi cruises Indonesia to Uber Cup c'ship final
HONG KONG (JP): Against expectations, a resolute Susi Susanti thrashed South Korea's Bang Soo-hyun 11-7, 11-0 and inspired her teammates to notch a 4-1 victory yesterday over South Korea for a place in the Uber Cup final.
The 1992 Olympic champion, after so many upsets in the last 12 months, relived her glory days amidst the thunderous cheers of Indonesian supporters.
A big banner reading Viva Indonesia, miniature red and white flags, and the presence of National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar in the 2,900-capacity Queen Elizabeth stadium helped the Indonesians keep their cool during the nerve- wracking battle.
Sixty two Indonesian supporters from various cities were organized to watch Susi, whose ability to beat Bang was in question.
The victory, a repeat of the 1994 semifinal in Jakarta, pits Indonesia against arch rival China in the final tomorrow. China, who swept a Susi-less Indonesia 5-0 in a group match, crushed Denmark 5-0 yesterday.
"What was on my mind during the game was how to clear the way for my teammates. That meant I had to win. This is my responsibility for my country," an emotional Susi said after her victory.
South Korea was further demoralized when its world number two partnership of Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock went down 15-3, 17- 16 to Eliza and Zelin Rosiana. The Indonesian duo had lost all three previous encounters.
Third-string singles Mia Audina looked awkward but finally sealed Indonesia's 3-0 lead by edging Kim Ji-hyun 11-6, 11-12, 11-4. It was Mia's first win against Kim in four meetings.
Mia, who clinched Indonesia's victory over China in the 1994 final, said she is used to playing stretched sets against Kim.
Finarsih and Lili Tampi widened the lead for defending champion Indonesia with their 10-15, 15-6, 15-7 win over Kim Mye- hang and Kim Shin-young in a purely academic match. Ra Kyung-min consoled South Korea with a 11-4, 11-4 win over Yuliani Sentosa in the last singles match.
Susi said after the match that she was too hesitant in pressing Bang hard in the first set. A headwind enabled Bang to claw back from a 2-8 deficit to equal it at 8-8. Susi, however, calmed herself down and began her quick demolition work.
Susi was unstoppable in the second set, destroying Bang 11-0. Susi said she has learned the hard way that every point counts.
An International Badminton Federation vice president, Roy Ward, cried upon learning Susi had won the second set 11-0.
"It never occurred to me, or most of us here, that Susi would win," he said. He added his were tears of happiness. "I have known Susi since she first played in the Bimantara World Badminton Championships in Jakarta back in 1984."
Earlier on the day, China gave Denmark a badminton lesson, with world number one Ye Zhaoying routing Camilla Martin 11-8, 11-3; world number one doubles pair of Ge Fei/Gu Jun downing Helene Kirkegaard/Rikke Olsen 17-14, 15-3; Wang Chen beating Anne Sondergaard 11-0, 11-8; Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu outdoing Lotte Olsen/Ann Jorgensen 15-6, 18-15; and Zhang Ning demolishing Mette Pedersen 11-5, 11-2.
China's head coach Li Yongbo said he was particularly happy with the performances of his second-string doubles duo of Qin Yiyuan and Tang Yongshu, and of his third-string singles player Zhang Ning.
"Our final berth was already secured because we led 3-0, but this did not make Qin, Tang and Zhang lose their fighting spirit. On the contrary, this victory prompted them to fight even harder. I'm very proud of them," Li said.
Denmark's coach Morten Frost Hansen, in an attempt to lick his team's wounded pride, blamed Lisbeth's back problems for the loss. "If Lisbeth had not been injured, our doubles would have been much stronger," Morten said.
Only four countries have won the Uber Cup: the United States (1956 to 1963), Japan (1965 to 1972, 1977 to 1981), Indonesia (1974-1975 and 1994) and China (1984 to 1992).
About 1,000 tickets were sold yesterday, as well as tickets for both finals on Saturday and Sunday.
Thomas Cup -- Page 13