Taufik expected to face Gade in Olympics semis
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian boy wonder Taufik Hidayat is expected to meet Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark in the Olympic Games semifinals but first he must beat Yamada Hidetaka of Japan in the first round, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) said in its press release Thursday.
Taufik will also face a tough challenge from Malaysian Ong Ewe Hock, whom he beat in the Indonesia Open in July, for a place in the quarterfinals.
Gade Christensen will have tough early rounds as another Indonesian shuttler Marlev Mainaky is likely to challenge him in the fourth round.
Hendrawan also has a tough drawing as he is predicted to face defending champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark in the quarterfinals.
However, Hoyer-Larsen, who will turn 35 on Sept. 20, will possibly meet world champion Sun Jun of China in the third round.
Should Hendrawan manage to overcome either Hoyer-Larsen or Sun, he will likely face a tough challenge from either the All England winner Xia Xuanze of China or Malaysian dark horse Wong Choon Hann.
In Indonesia's favorite discipline of men's doubles, Candra and Tony have a tough opener as they must face Danish Michael Sogaard and Jim Laugesen.
The world number one pair is likely to face Simon Archer and Nathan Robertson of England in the quarterfinals.
Defending champion Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia are likely to meet fourth seed Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-kwon of South Korea in the quarters.
Third seeds Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian of Indonesia are likely have easy drawings as they will meet either Thailand's Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisavas or the Malaysians Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah.
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) training director Christian Hadinata said that despite good drawings, the International Badminton Federation (IBF) predicted none of the Indonesian shuttlers would be able to win gold.
The federation said China would probably grab two golds in both women's singles and doubles, South Korea would win in the men's and mixed doubles while Denmark would take the men's singles gold.
"Shuttlers must show the world that Indonesian shuttlers are not easily affected by such predictions," said Christian, who is also serving as the head coach during the Olympics, at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.
"The prediction, however, could have a good psychological effect as there are always two sides of every coin. I just asked the players to play normally as usual," he added.
Christian stressed that being a seeded player had its own consequences.
"You have to stay until the last day of the tournament if you are a seeded player, especially the top four players. It's a tough responsibility," he said.
"On the other hand, being unseeded also has its own advantages. You can play easily without any burden," he added, while saying it would be up to the players then to prove themselves.
Christian said playing in the Olympics' would be more special and tense compared to the regular Grand Prix series or team tournaments including the Thomas Cup.
"When playing in a team event, you still have a second chance to win because if you lose the team can still win the match. But in the Olympics, a sloppy mistake will end your dream. You have to fight hard in every game. If you lose, then it's over."
Meanwhile, Taufik and Marlev coach Mulyo Handoyo said shuttlers were no longer focusing on the seed rankings or the IBF's predictions.
"The seed rankings have been anticipated although there are several slight changes. It's not a big deal for our shuttlers," he said.
"The shuttlers are concentrating on winning every game they play. We are discussing possible tactics and strategies to be used for different opponents," he added. (nvn/yan)