Malaysia have to deal with Indonesian shuttlers and fans
May 9th, 2008 | by Indonesia First |PENANG: After defending champions China, Indonesia are rated the next strongest side in the Thomas Cup Finals based on their status as hosts of the championships, which begin on Sunday in Jakarta.
The Indonesians, who failed to win the world men’s team championship trophy on home soil in 2004, will be looking to set the record straight this time.
They have named Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Taufik Hidayat, Simon Santoso and youngster Tommy Sugiarto as the singles players. The pairs are world champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan, Joko Riyadi-Hendra Gunawan and Candra Wijaya-Nova Widianto.
But national chief coach Yap Kim Hock feels that Indonesia will be over-dependent on their second singles and first doubles for points against the other contenders for the title – China, Denmark, South Korea and Malaysia.
If Malaysia finish as the Group B runners-up, they are expected to take on Indonesia in the quarter-finals. The two teams also clash in the quarter-finals in Jakarta four years ago with the Indonesians winning 3-1.
“Indonesia will be banking on Taufik and the Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan combination to deliver two points and look for the winner from another match,” said Kim Hock.
“Indonesia can bank on their strong crowd support but should one of them lose, then they are in real trouble. Against China, I don’t see Indonesia winning the other two singles matches.”
Kim Hock expects Malaysia to face tough fights in all five matches against Indonesia.
While Chong Wei holds the upper hand against Sony, Kim Hock also does not discount the ability of Choong Hann to chalk up an upset win over Taufik.
“Many people think Taufik will beat Choong Hann easily but the fact is that matches between these two players have always been close. I have faith in Choong Hann’s ability, but the strong home support could tilt the match to Taufik’s advantage,” said Kim Hock.
Kim Hock admitted that both Mohd Hafiz Hashim and Simon, who are expected to clash in the third singles, have had recent inconsistent results.
“Hafiz needs to tread with caution as Simon is a young and dangerous. But Simon is not consistent against top players and Hafiz can win if he is able to raise his game. This is a match that can go either way.”
In the doubles, the Indonesians surprisingly dropped their second ranked pair, Alven Yulianto-Luluk Hadiyanto, in favour of untested Joko Riyadi-Hendra Gunawan and Candra Wijaya-Nova Widianto.
Candra, who teamed up with mixed doubles specialist Nova to reach the Asian Championships final in Johor Baru last month in their debut as a pair, are likely to receive the nod ahead of Joko-Hendra for the second doubles slot.
Indonesia are also known to split their combinations and have come up with successful results. Here, Candra will be their ace in the pack.
Kim Hock feels the key in the doubles rests in the match involving the world number one Markis and Hendra.
The Malaysian doubles stable comprises Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif.
Said Kim Hock: “Regardless of who is fielded, all the three Malaysian pairs can be depended to deliver against the Indonesians. If we are able to stop their first doubles, our chances of winning the tie are brighter.
thestar.com.my
