Taufik crashes again as Jakarta, East Java reach badminton final

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Palembang

Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat, representing West Java, suffered his second defeat at the National Games (PON) here on Saturday, leaving East Java to challenge Jakarta in the final for the men's badminton team gold.

Taufik, who earned Indonesia's only gold in Athens, lost to Olympic bronze medalist Sony Dwi Kuncoro, as West Java was beaten 3-0 by East Java in the semifinals at the Dempo Badminton Hall in Jakabaring.

Jakarta booked its ticket to the men's final with a 3-1 win over Central Java. The women's badminton squad from Jakarta was also through to the final against Central Java.

Taufik, the world No. 4, also lost in the Group matches, though the team still cruised to a 4-1 win over North Sumatra.

His 15-3, 15-3 defeat to Sony was cruelly punished this time along with his teammates also crashing out in their matches.

Flandy Limpele and Halim Haryanto won their first game before losing the next two games to Alvent Yulianto and Tri Kusharjanto 10-15, 15-4, 15-7.

Marleve Mainaky displayed powerful smashes but he found Jeffer Rosobin, the 2003 Jakarta Open champion, a hard nut to crack and lost 6-15, 15-13, 15-3.

Meanwhile, Jakarta had Indonesia's past Olympic winner Candra Wijaya to thank after the 2000 Olympic gold medalist teamed up with Nova Widhianto to crush Sigit Budiarto and Rian Sukmawan 15- 1, 15-3 to seal a 3-1 win for their team.

In the earlier matches, young shuttler Simon Santoso, the world No. 47, gave Jakarta a 1-0 lead with an easy 15-6, 15-7 win over Andre Kurniawan.

Eng Hian and Luluk Hadiyanto evened the score for Central Java after they overcame their younger fellow national squad members Markis Kidho and Hendra Setiawan 15-7, 15-11.

Ronny Agustinus retrieved the lead with a convincing 15-6, 15- 3 win over Irawan Agung before Candra and Nova put the issue beyond doubt.

Asked about the prospect in the final, Jakarta team coach Joko Supriyanto expressed his confidence that his team would be able to steal some points against East Java and bring home the gold medal.

"We hope that we can win the first singles, the second doubles and the third singles, but we're also anticipating on the possibility that Hendrawan might play in the third singles," Joko told The Jakarta Post referring to 2000 Olympics silver medalist.

Both teams met in the Group matches on Friday with Jakarta escaping a 3-2 win in which Simon Santoso chalked up a surprise victory over Sony.

With Sony looking vulnerable, Joko anticipated Hendrawan as an aged yet potent member in the East Javanese squad.

"Hendrawan has a lot more experience than Agus, so if Hendrawan is going to play the third singles, he is likely to steal a point from us," Joko said.

Yakob Rusdianto, from the East Java team, is determined to win the gold in the final match.

"Yesterday, we didn't give our best because we didn't have to win the game to get a ticket to the semifinals, but tomorrow is a must-win match," he said.

In the women's division, Jakarta cruised to the final after defeating West Java in the semifinals 2-0. Silvi Antarini did not have to swing the racket to be awarded the win as Yuli Marfuah withdrew due to abdominal cramp.

Jo Novita and Vita Marissa assured the ticket after they won 15-9, 15-7 over Lita Nurlita and Nelly Faulina.

Two Marias paved Central Java a way to the final with Maria Elvira defeating Dewi Tira 11-8, 11-11 and Maria Kristin drubbing Yeni Diah 11-6, 11-2.

Team coach Christian Hadinata was delighted that his men and women met their target to reach the finals.

"We had set our target that they should reach semifinals. They have," he said.