JAKARTA, 12 May 2004 — Indonesia eased the pain of their Group A humbling by China by thrashing New Zealand in the knockout round of the Thomas Cup men’s badminton yesterday.
Indonesia’s top player, world No. 9 Sony Dwi Kuncoro, had little trouble beating John Moody 15-3, 15-2 while newcomer Simon Santoso saw off Geoffrey Bellingham by the same scoreline.
Doubles pair Luluk Hadiyanto and Alvent Yulianto completed the rout with a 15-8, 15-8 win over Daniel Shirley and John Gordon.
The result puts Indonesia into a quarterfinal with local rivals Malaysia, who can expect a fierce reception at the Senaya Indoor Stadium today. But it will be scant consolation for their 5-0 trouncing by China on Monday which suggested they will struggle to retain their 10-year-grip on the premier men’s team title.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s women scored an emotional 3-0 victory over Germany to face South Korea in the last eight of the concurrent Uber Cup.
Silvi Antarini was in tears after she beat Xu Huaiwen 11-6, 13-10 — her first win of the tournament — to set up the victory.
Thailand’s men came through an unexpectedly tough fight against England 3-1 and will meet South Korea in the Thomas Cup quarterfinals. Eleventh-ranked pairing Anthony Clark Nathan Robertson beat Pramote Teerawiwatana Tesana Pavisvas 15-6, 9-15, 15-10 and Robert Blair David Lindley pushed Sudket Prapakamol Patapol Ngernsrisuk hard, despite losing 17-14, 15-9.
Earlier Japan set up a nightmare quarterfinal with hot favorites China after dumping debutants South Africa out of the competition.
The Japanese took just 90 minutes to see off the African minnows with Shoji Sato, Sho Sasaki and Toru Matsumoto all winning in straight sets.
South Africa’s women also tumbled to their third straight defeat, 3-0 against the Netherlands, to end the squad’s participation here.
