Yoe Hok says double within nation's grasp
JAKARTA (JP): Former badminton great Tan Joe Hok, who was a key player on the Indonesian team that won the Thomas Cup for the first time way back in 1958, is confident that Indonesia will notch a memorable double this year by winning both the Thomas and Uber Cups.
"Barring unforeseen circumstances the Thomas Cup is as good as Indonesia's," he told newsmen yesterday.
Indonesia is set to meet cup holder and nemesis Malaysia in Saturday's final, after its whipping of South Korea last night.
Tan, 57, said Malaysia, which defeated China 4-1 on Tuesday, will pose no problem to the Indonesian squad.
"The Malaysians will field the same line-up that beat China simply because they do not have other good players to pick," he said.
Indonesia lost to Malaysia 2-3 in the 1992 final in Kuala Lumpur. "But this time around the Malaysians will hit rock-bottom as Joko Suprianto and company will gain sweet revenge for the Kuala Lumpur loss," said Tan, who bears the considerable distinction of being the first Indonesian player to win the prestigious All-England men's singles title, in 1959.
Tan was equally upbeat about Indonesia's chances to lift the Uber Cup for the first time in 19 years.
"I think Indonesia's current Uber Cup team is one of the strongest we have ever had," he assessed.
He said on paper defending champion China should beat Indonesia in Friday's final. "But Indonesia stands a realistic chance of toppling the Chinese. This is all the more so as we have the edge of playing at home."
He said nobody bet on Indonesia against South Korea in Tuesday's semifinals. "But Susi and teammates shrugged off the odds by beating the Koreans 4-1."
Contrary to the opinions of many pundits that crowd support will be a vital factor which could mean the difference between winning and losing, Tan said the role of thousands of cheering spectators does not always help a player raise his or her game.
"During my playing days I never paid much attention to either the cheers or the jeers of the spectators," he said.
Tan, however, expressed hope that the Senayan crowds will not become unruly in supporting the Indonesian players in the finals.
"I would like to see the Indonesian teams win their matches fair and square without any accusations that the excessive crowd support plays a big role in our victories," he said.
Happy
On a separate occasion, Malaysian team manager Punch Gunalan said he is happy that his team will start out as the underdog against Indonesia, which is the odds-on favorite.
"Even though were are the defending champions, our players will step onto the court without any mental pressure because we are not expected to win," he said. "The pressure will be on the Indonesians."
Gunalan said his side was also rated as the underdog before it met China on Tuesday.
"Nobody expected us to win. But we proved the doubting Thomases wrong as Rashid Sidek and company rose to the challenge splendidly by beating China 4-1," he said. "We all know who Joko Suprianto and teammates are, but we will not relinquish the Thomas Cup without a fight."
Gunalan said his players would not be ruffled by the boisterous and intimidating boos and jeers expected to be showered on the Malaysians by the fiercely partisan home crowd. "It will be good for us. The more the crowds jeer at us the higher our morale will be," he said. (hdj/amd/bas)