Taufik expected to face Gade in Olympics semis

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)