Now that Korea SS is almost over, the second phase of player call-ups into Pelatnas should be near. Which ones will be selected? Taufik - yes or no? Let's just wait and see.
2 Super Series events are over in the first 3 weeks of 2009 and time to reflect on the performances of the INA team so far. Men's Singles As INA's no 1 MS at the moment, Sony Dwi Kuncoro is still plagued by injury, which hamper his chance of winning any SS-level tourneys since his China-Masters SS title in October. He will need to focus on recovering from his injury. The most consistent performance came from Simon Santoso, with 1 QF and 1 SS apperance in the Malaysia and Korea SS respectively. Hopefully, the points won in both events should guarantee Simon for a seeding position in the All-England. Personally, I am pleased with Simon after his long-absence from international tournaments. With Sony Dwi Kuncoro's withdrawal in the Korea SS, Andre Kurniawan Tedjono justified his participation with a QF appearance, his first in SS level tourney. If Andre is not recruited into Pelatnas, I think PB Djarum can send him to German Open GP and the All-England SS. Women's Singles Maria Kristin Yulianti is still injured and I am not sure if she's ready enough for the All-England. However, her contribution will be vital in the Sudirman Cup campaign in May. Adriyanti Firdasari was impressive in reaching the QF of Korea SS and she should be expected to break into the top 20 by end of this year. Pia Bernadet Zebadiah managed to reach R16 of both SS events and likewise, I hope she can break into the top 20. Men's Doubles Undoubtedly, Markis Kido's knee injury begins to cast doubts on the World and Olympic Champions' chances of winning the first major of this year, the All-England title in March. Priority has to be given to the healing of Kido's injury and perhaps, they need to sacrifice the All-England and the Swiss Open SS events in March if his injury has yet to heal by then. This is because one point in MD is so much vital for INA's chance of winning the Sudirman Cup in May! Bona Septano/Mohd Ahsan's performance in the Korea SS was commendable as they managed to reach QF and forced the eventual champion to 3-sets. Believe it or not, they will rise to the top 10 by next week! Now, more consistency is needed to maintain or even improve on the top 10 position. As I have mentioned so many times, this year is a make or break year for them! Hendra Aprida Gunawan/Alvent Yulianto Chandra have impressed me in their performances over the past 2 weeks, losing only to Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae and Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (both in 3-sets). I hope this pair can rise to at least top 20 by end of this year. Very little can be drawn on Rendra Wijaya/Joko Riyadi's performance as they lost in their solitary match so far as a pair to the Korean no 3 pair. Women's Doubles INA has a rising star in Meiliana Jauhari/Shendy Puspa Irawati, with a SF and QF apperances in the Malaysia and Korea SS respectively, losing to the ex World and Olympics Champions Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen and the eventual champion of Korea SS Chien Yu-Chin/Cheng Wen-Hsing. Ko Aryono summed it up nicely in his comments about this pair's performance in local newspaper: "they need more playing hours against top pairs". Meanwhile, Vita Marissa/Liliyana Natsir need a long rest and I will recommend for them NOT TO BE SENT to All-England and Swiss SS. This will increase the XD pairs' chances of winning the All-England for sure! However, their contribution will be needed in the Sudirman Cup. Mixed Doubles As always, mixed reaction about Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir. If they are playing well, they can beat the top pairs, like Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung to win the Malaysia SS title. However, if they are not in the mood, then they can lose to some lower ranked pairs like V. Diju/Jwalla Gutta as well! Nevertheless, this pair is perhaps INA's best bet for a title in the All-England, so, we hope that both players are in top-shape by March 2009. Fran Kurniawan/Shendy Puspa Irawati and Rendra Wijaya/Meiliana Jauhari both reached QF of the Korea SS, which are good news as INA does have some good backup pairs. As with the other Djarum pairs/players, more playing hours against top pairs are needed, esp for Fran/Shendy if they are to challenge the top 8 pairs.
If Mohd Rijal/Vita Marissa are to do well in the future, then perhaps Vita Marissa need to onsider her involvement in WD. She really looked burned out during the HKG SS in late Nov. Or perhaps Rijal will be paired back with his old partner Greysia Polii?? Question marks still surround this pairing, despite one title won in the Japan SS last year. I still maintain my belief that Devin Lahardi/Lita Nurlita can only be good backup pairs, but will not be a pair that can challenge the top 10. A few GP level and perhaps GP Gold titles should be the most that can be expected of them. Other Pelatnas pairs not involved in the SS events: Rian Sukmawan/Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki -- Rian/Yoke have some problems when they face top pairs and they will need to resolve this issue if they are to rise further to the top 10 position. The All-England and Swiss SS will be important tourneys for them! Nitya Krishinda Maheswari/Greysia Polii -- likewise, I see a future in this pair, but, they need lots and lots of playing hours gained from winning tourneys. Perhaps, PBSI can send them to Int Challenge and GP events so that the victories from those events will boost their confidence. I will not expect them to win any SS event, but, a couple of titles from
What is.. ..the INA National squad's goal for this yr?? If it's the Sudirman Cup and the World Championships, then imo, they should give enough rest, recovery & training time to those who are still nursing injuries, esp. to those who will play vital parts for the INA team. The month of May is still a few months away, but it'll come by quickly. I think PBSI should just send the abled-body younger players/pairs and newly paired pairs to compete in the upcoming SS and GP Golds, just so they'll accumulate more experience.
Andre went to the 2007 INA Open SS quarterfinals... And yes Bona-Ahsan can very well be the World's #10 MD by next week...
Bona-Ahsan has leapfrogged Rian/Yoke so far.....wonder why Rian/Yoke is skipping the 1st leg of SS? Djarum's decision?
According to Hau-ge and other sources... Yoke got typhoid during his December vacation in Jember, his hometown... and Yoke wants to improve his match-playing abilities better... so he asked Coach Sigit Pamungkas not to be sent for the first 2 legs of 2009's SS... Maybe the German Open GP will be their 1st appearance... followed by All England SS... and maybe India Open Gold GP after that...
A wise choice. That should be the tourneys that Rian/Yoke should be aiming for...a mix of GP, GP Gold and SS events; not just purely SS events.
Definitely, Sudirman Cup and World Champ are the top priority. Yeah, INA main squad should be more selective to take part bdm tourneys.
JAKARTA - PB PBSI still gives leeway to Taufik Hidayat to return to pelatnas. In fact, the parent organization General TNI Djoko Santoso was to give time for the world champion and 2004 Olympic gold wholesaler Athena is back to learn the content of the contract. ''If the players who have not signed in pelatnas does not agree with the content of the contract does not do anything. However, all must have size,''said Djoko Santoso, the head of the general PB PBSI, in between the Chairman of the General pelatikan by KON / KOI Rita Subowo in Jakarta last night. Yes, in a contract PB PBSI and the players mentioned, the size-size requirements that form a part of the time pelatnas. In the initial psychological tests, physical tests, and the exercise of binding regulations. Players must also be ready to be evaluated after the two international tournaments. ''I also do not recognize the term deadline. But if the program is already running, I just left,''said Djoko. However, his side will still allow the athletes to enter the pelatnas if it is ready. PB PBSI called 22 players to join in the main pelatnas early January. Taufik is not only to join. Thus, single men, inhabited only two players, Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon Santoso. Different matter of the first wave of major athlete, male origin Solo, Central Java, is targeting the second wave pelatnas can immediately join in Cipayung. He will call pelatnas ensure all major players this January. His even international already waiting. Government is also being berancang preparations to set up the establishment of the Sudirman Cup 2009 source of :http://bulutangkis.com
