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Indonesia to meet Malaysia again
May 17, 2002 - Source : IBF
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After their 3/0 win over Denmark in the second semi-final of the Thomas Cup, Indonesia will once again play Malaysia, after they had beaten them in the group matches.
There will be many regrets on the Danish side after the semi-final of the 2002 Thomas Cup. First of all, because in spite of their underdog position, the Danes were expecting to push the Indonesians to the fifth and last match, when Peter Rasmussen could have delivered the winning point in a mouth watering tie against Hendrawan. Secondly, because in both singles, Kenneth Jonassen and Anders Boesen were very close to winning their matches, with both leading by 2 games.
 Kenneth Jonassen and Marleve Mainaky gave the best performance of the evening in theng match of the tie. Once again, the Dane proved that he had the stature of a team leader in the absence of Peter Gade – who, by the way, has indicated on his website that he was hoping to compete in the Asian Grand Prix events this summer. Jonassen started off really fast, leaving no time for Mainaky to get used to the drift of the shuttles, quickly leading 7/3 and 8/6. The third game saw the Indonesian react and lead 6/1 before he was caught up 6/5. All Danes were standing on the side, boys and girls, to cheer for the three remaining points. Yet Mainaky’s experience prevailed, and he secured the third game 7/5.
With this big setback so close to victory, the Dane then had some problems concentrating again, while Mainaky was taking control. The last two games didn’t last very long, won by the Indonesian 7/0 – 7/2.
Disappointing Danish doubles
Jens Eriksen and Martin Lundgaard Hansen had shown some very impressive play over the past few weeks, clinching the European Championship title, but also ib their tie against Korea, where they had some match points against Kim Dong Moon and Ha Tae Kwon, considered to be one of the best pairs in the world – if not the best. Yet the Danes’ performance was way beyond expectations, especially against Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya (pictured).
The Indonesians quickly won the first two games 7/1 – 7/2. Neither Eriksen nor Lundgaard Hansen seemed to be feeling good on court, both making unusual unforced errors, helped by a constant pressure at the net by their opponents. Eriksen did try to disturb both Wijaya and Budiarto, making signs and a strong eye contact with them on few occasions. It might have worked, as the Indonesians, leading 6/2, lost concentration and saw their opponents come back to win the third game. In the fourth, however, Budiarto and Wijaya secured their team second point 7/4.
“It’s hard to say why, but we saw tonight that our players were mentally soft and we can say that it isn’t Indonesia who won, but Denmark who lost,” said Steen Pedersen, Denmark’s head coach.
Anders Boesen was then up against Taufik Hidayat. Hopes were still high as the only previous match the two players had disputed went in favour of the Dane. And Boesen played his usual fighting game, rushing all over the place, fighting for every shuttle, dancing in between points which provided him with the public’s support. His tactic was good, as the Indonesian, in control of the game, was unable to finish most points. Hidayat started off well in both games, but was caught back and committed mistakes. Boesen was then leading 2 games up 8/6 – 7/3, as his compatriot had done few minutes earlier. On the second game point, Boesen started some provocative dance (pictured) in front of his compatriots who were both delighted and hilarious by his antics.
Hidayat a winner
But as fate repeated itself, and Hidayat also got back on track in a thrilling third game. The peak came when Boesen saved four game points at 2/6 and 3/6 to come back to 5/6, just like Jonassen. A net play barely made it over on Taufik’s stroke, but stayed in Boesen’s side on the next shot. “I think if that shuttle would have gone over, it would have made a big difference,” said Boesen. But it didn’t. And Taufik (pictured) was on his route to give the third point to his teammates: winning the third game, he was then in control, playing more aggressively as he had kept some energy, while Boesen wasn’t as fresh to bring back some very dry smashes from the Indonesian. Even the whole Danish team nodded in admiration on one of Taufik’s backhand smash winner.
The fourth and fifth games went to the 20-year-old, who somehow gave reason to his coaches for trusting him back in the team after so many political problems between him and his federation. Christian Hadinata was satisfied with his player’s performance:
“I don’t know why our players were led two games down, but one thing is sure: they showed their fighting spirit and that they were able to come back for the win,” said the Indonesian team manager. “Now we are heading for another fight against Malaysia, and they should not be taken lightly, especially their men’s doubles” said Hadinata. In the group match last Sunday, Indonesia had beaten their neighbours 4/1, but with a mix in the best pairs for Malaysia, while all three singles were hard fought battles.
Before the stadium totally emptied, the awards ceremony took place for the bronze medal, where the Danes were still enjoying themselves, for a semi-final berth that was not a foregone conclusion, given the tough group they were in.
report and pictures by Raphael Sachetat
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Other news:
» Zhou captures women's singles crown in thriller
» Three Thai doubles pairs sent packing
» Thais go down in mixed doubles
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