Indonesia’s Women team ready for tussling encounter against Thai rivals – Badminton news
In a bid to secure a spot in the finals of the Uber Cup, Indonesia’s Women team is set to meet their Thai rivals in a decisive encounter today in Macau. The Uber Cup Preliminary Round has already put forward thrilling matches and both squads will be looking
to oust their challengers and reserve a seat for the finals to be held in China, this May.
Earlier, Kazakhstan proved to be a sitting duck for Indonesia with a 0-5 defeat, ensuring the later a berth in the quarter-finals. Thailand has also marched into the top-8 with a convincing victory over Sri Lanka with a terrific margin of 5-0.
Both teams desperately need to win the match to avoid the danger of facing China in the next round as the winner will have an easier opponent in the semi-final. The loser will have to face the Group W winner, China. Chinese shuttlers previously beat Malaysia
on Monday to secure their spot.
Indonesia’s top shuttler Adrianti Firdasari is expected to have a combat with Inthanon Ratchanok of Thailand. The Indonesian is determined to level the score as Inthanon thrashed her in the final of South-East Asian Games in Jakarta and took home the gold
medal.
While talking about her prospects against Inthanon, the Indonesian said that it will be a challenging competition. Adrianti said, “She’s a very tough opponent to beat, but I want my revenge. I’ll have just to be patient and focus against her. It won’t be
an easy match [against Thailand]. It will be a real fight.”
The three Women’s Singles fights will be crucial as Indonesia has an edge over Thailand in Women’s Doubles category by having World Number Nine pair of Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari in their side.
Inthanon is well-aware of this fact and the shuttler said, “If we want to win the match, we have to win all three single matches. I think we have 50-50 chance against Indonesia, but Indonesia has great doubles.”
Shendy Puspa Irawati, who is competing in this event in Women’s Doubles category with the partnership of Indonesia’s Mixed Doubles top shuttler, Liliyana Natsir, is confident to prove her worth. She said, “It’s a bit odd at the start because I had never
played a women’s doubles event for so long. But if the coach wants us to play against Thailand, we’re ready.”
The Indonesian shuttlers performed masterly against Kazakhstan on Tuesday as they did not have to work hard to hunt their opponents down. Similarly, Greysia Polii – Meiliana Jauhari in the Doubles and Adrianti Firdasari and Lindaweni Fanetri in Singles proved
their worth by registering victories over their challengers.
Now, the Indonesian females are ready to shine against Thai shuttlers and the clash is sure to entertain spectators as both teams are balanced on paper.
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