Susi cruises Indonesia to Uber Cup c'ship final
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