kwun
05-09-2002, 07:12 PM
Taufik fears he may not get to play
Star Online
INDONESIA’s Taufik Hidayat is fearful that he may not get to feature at all in his team’s defence of the Thomas Cup title.
Taufik, who appeared to have gained some weight, picked up a knee injury and it may prevent him from helping Indonesia in their bid to win the title for a record fifth consecutive time.
Yesterday, the baby-faced Taufik recalled his painful exit in the World Championships in Seville last year. He had reached the semi-finals and playing against teammate H. Hendrawan but had to concede a walkover in the closing stages of the rubber game because of a groin injury.
“It is unfortunate that I got injured again. I am better now but sometime I still feel the pain. I have done my best in training and it will be a waste if I aggravate the injury here,” said Taufik. “I am ready to play … it all depends on my coach. I may be fielded or I may not see action at all.”
It is the second outing in the Finals for Taufik. In their last Finals in Kuala Lumpur in 2000, Taufik won all his matches as the second singles player and he had the honour of clinching the winning point for Indonesia in the final against China.
But last year, he ran into problems with the All-Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI). He was barred from competing in several international tournaments and he even left the country to join Singapore. And from world number one, he is now in 23rd spot.
All appears well between Taufik and the PBSI – at least for this Finals.
Just a month before the Finals, Taufik played for Indonesia in the Japan Open. He defeated Korean Open runner-up Shon Seung-mo in the second round but lost to China’s Bao Chunlai in the next round.
Indonesia open the defence of their title in Group B against Thailand tonight. The other teams in the group are Malaysia and Germany.
Taufik is the second ranked singles player behind Marleve Mainaky. If Indonesia decide to field him in the first singles, Taufik will be up against Boonsak Polsana, who beat him in the Asia Cup last May. At the second slot, he is expected to play against Anupap Thiraratsakul. Taufik has beaten Thiraratsakul twice before.
“I see Boonsak as the strongest first singles player in Group B. The Thais have two good doubles pairs too,” said Taufik.
Reigning world champion Hendrawan may play at third singles and Indonesia can also choose from debutants Budi Santoso and Rony Agustinus.
It will be interesting to see how Indonesia line up their doubles pairs against the Thais today. At number one is their former world champions Candra Wijaya-Sigit Budiarto. The Indonesians are known for their ability to form formidable scratch combinations.
They could split the Candra and Sigit partnership and come up with combinations featuring Halim Haryanto, Trikus Haryanto and Bambang Suprianto.
The top two Thai pairs are Pramote Teerawiwatana-Tesana Panvivas and Khunakorn Sudhisodhi-Patapol Ngernsrisuk.
The bet is on Indonesia beating the Thais. They have not lost to Thailand before in the Thomas Cup.
Star Online
INDONESIA’s Taufik Hidayat is fearful that he may not get to feature at all in his team’s defence of the Thomas Cup title.
Taufik, who appeared to have gained some weight, picked up a knee injury and it may prevent him from helping Indonesia in their bid to win the title for a record fifth consecutive time.
Yesterday, the baby-faced Taufik recalled his painful exit in the World Championships in Seville last year. He had reached the semi-finals and playing against teammate H. Hendrawan but had to concede a walkover in the closing stages of the rubber game because of a groin injury.
“It is unfortunate that I got injured again. I am better now but sometime I still feel the pain. I have done my best in training and it will be a waste if I aggravate the injury here,” said Taufik. “I am ready to play … it all depends on my coach. I may be fielded or I may not see action at all.”
It is the second outing in the Finals for Taufik. In their last Finals in Kuala Lumpur in 2000, Taufik won all his matches as the second singles player and he had the honour of clinching the winning point for Indonesia in the final against China.
But last year, he ran into problems with the All-Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI). He was barred from competing in several international tournaments and he even left the country to join Singapore. And from world number one, he is now in 23rd spot.
All appears well between Taufik and the PBSI – at least for this Finals.
Just a month before the Finals, Taufik played for Indonesia in the Japan Open. He defeated Korean Open runner-up Shon Seung-mo in the second round but lost to China’s Bao Chunlai in the next round.
Indonesia open the defence of their title in Group B against Thailand tonight. The other teams in the group are Malaysia and Germany.
Taufik is the second ranked singles player behind Marleve Mainaky. If Indonesia decide to field him in the first singles, Taufik will be up against Boonsak Polsana, who beat him in the Asia Cup last May. At the second slot, he is expected to play against Anupap Thiraratsakul. Taufik has beaten Thiraratsakul twice before.
“I see Boonsak as the strongest first singles player in Group B. The Thais have two good doubles pairs too,” said Taufik.
Reigning world champion Hendrawan may play at third singles and Indonesia can also choose from debutants Budi Santoso and Rony Agustinus.
It will be interesting to see how Indonesia line up their doubles pairs against the Thais today. At number one is their former world champions Candra Wijaya-Sigit Budiarto. The Indonesians are known for their ability to form formidable scratch combinations.
They could split the Candra and Sigit partnership and come up with combinations featuring Halim Haryanto, Trikus Haryanto and Bambang Suprianto.
The top two Thai pairs are Pramote Teerawiwatana-Tesana Panvivas and Khunakorn Sudhisodhi-Patapol Ngernsrisuk.
The bet is on Indonesia beating the Thais. They have not lost to Thailand before in the Thomas Cup.