Indonesia faces a tricky draw for the Uber Cup Qualifying Round – Badminton news
Indonesian female shuttlers face a tricky draw for the Uber Cup Qualifying Round as they have been placed in the same pool with Thailand, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. The qualifying tournament is scheduled to be held in Macau from February 13-19.
Indonesian team has been placed in Group Y and needs to remain at the top in this group to avoid a clash with China that has been drawn in Group W along with Malaysia and India. The top four countries will qualify for the Uber Cup Finals, which will take place in China, this May.
If Indonesian shuttlers remain unable to top their group, they will more likely be facing China in the top-eight stage in the qualifying round tournament. However, if they defeat all countries in the round matches, they will have an easy fight in the quarter-final.
However, beating the Thai shuttlers will not be easy for the Indonesian females as it will be an equal fight considering the balanced squad from both sides.
Yacob Rusdianto, the general secretary of Indonesian Badminton Association, said that if shuttlers give their hundred percent, they will be able to top the group.
He said, “We’ll have to just deal with it. On paper, it’s a tough draw, but I believe we can overcome all obstacles if we play with great determination.”
Indonesian team includes the World Number 35 Adrianti Firdasari, who is the higher ranked shuttler in Indonesia. On the other hand, Thailand has World Number 13 Inthanon Ratchanok and World Number 14 Porntip Buranaprasertsuk.
However, Indonesia has higher ranked pairs in Women’s Doubles category including World Number Nine Meiliana Jauhari – Greysia Polii and World Number 17 Anneke Feinya Agustine – Nitya Krishinda Maheswari.
Firdasari lost her previous battle in SEA Games to Inthanon and will be out this time to prove her worth over the Thai opponent. While talking about her defeat, Firdasari said that she was injured at that time.
She said, “I was suffering from an abdominal injury at the SEA Games, but now I’m ready. I’m highly motivated and will try to help the team win the group to avoid China in the quarterfinals.”
Indonesian females are determined to win all matches at group stage and remain at the top to avoid a match with China at the top-8 stage.
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