Test to Determine the Group Winners of the Thomas and Uber Cups
The tough match closed the group stage. The Indonesian men's team plays against India, the women's team challenges Japan.
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Jonatan Christie faced off against Saran Jamsri (Thailand) in the Group C preliminary match of the Thomas Cup at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, Chengdu, China on Monday (29/4/2024). Jonatan won with a score of 21-16, 13-21, 21-12. The Indonesian Thomas Cup team will face India in the final match of Group C on Wednesday (1/5/2024).
CHENGDU, TUESDAY — The final match in the group stage will be a test for the Indonesian badminton team to undergo the knockout phase in the championship Thomas and Uber Cup. Indonesia will face a strong team in an effort to become group champions.
The Indonesian men's team will compete for the top spot in Group C against India in a match at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, Chengdu, China on Wednesday (May 1st, 2024) starting at 4:00 PM Western Indonesian Time. In the morning session, starting at 8:30 AM Western Indonesian Time, the Indonesian women's team "Merah Putih" will also face Japan in Group C.
Also read: There are still weaknesses in the Indonesian team
As with the other three groups, competition to become the group champion occurred among two strong teams that had already secured their place in the quarter-finals. The competition for the other two teams only determined third and fourth place rankings.
Apart from Indonesia and India, Japan will compete with Taiwan to become the champion of Group D in the Thomas Cup. The champion position for Group A is being contested by China and South Korea, while Malaysia and Denmark are competing for the champion status of Group D on Tuesday night.
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting competed against Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul (Thailand) in the Group C preliminary match of the Thomas Cup at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, on Monday (29/4/2024). Anthony won with a score of 21-16, 21-13.
As for the Uber Cup, Taiwan and Thailand are competing for the top spot in Group B. Two teams that have secured the top ranking in their group are China in Group A and South Korea in Group D.
The Thomas and Uber Cup Championships were attended by 16 men's teams and 16 women's teams who started the competition from the preliminary phase in four groups. The teams that occupy the top two places in each group, after competing in a round robin format, have the right to appear in the quarter-finals.
Also read: Beating Thailand's Youth Squad, Indonesia to Quarter-Finals
The top and second positions in the standings will determine the position in the draw for the quarterfinals. The round of eight will bring together the champion with the second rank from a different group, but their meeting will be determined through drawing. Only the first and second seeds who become group champions are guaranteed to be separated, namely in the top and bottom halves of the draw.
The meeting between the Indonesian and Indian men's teams was a rematch in the final of the 2022 Thomas Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. India defeated Indonesia 3-0 and won the Thomas Cup for the first time.
All players have a balanced strength. My team and I have prepared a single men's player to face whoever India puts forward.
The expression of Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin while competing against Sirawit Sothon/Natthapat Trinkajee (Thailand) during the Group C elimination match of the Thomas Cup at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, Chengdu, China on Monday (29/4/2024). Leo/Daniel won with a score of 21-13, 21-10.
At the time, India was only ranked fifth, while Indonesia was the top contender. The team's status as top contender is calculated from the accumulation of points from the best three men's singles and two men's doubles rankings from each country.
However, this status does not have any effect on the field. India beat Indonesia in three consecutive matches through Lakshya Sen, Chirag Shetty/Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Kidambi Srikanth. They won over Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Mohammad Ahsan/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, and Jonatan Christie.
Also read: Initial Scenario Goes Well
India has the same roster of players as two years ago, but with different positions for the singles players. Sen, who was the first single player in 2022, is now the second single player under Prannoy HS. Meanwhile, senior player Srikanth is the third singles player. In addition, there is still Kiran George as the fourth singles player.
The men's badminton national training center's single coach, Irwansyah, stated that the changes in India's men's singles formation would not have a significant impact. "All players have balanced strengths. My team and I have prepared the men's singles players to face whoever India puts on the court," he said.
Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo completed Indonesia's victory over Thailand at 4-1 in the Group C preliminary round of the Thomas Cup Championship. At the Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium in Chengdu, China on Monday (April 29, 2024), Chico defeated Machakorn Pusri, 21-10, 21-11.
In the doubles, India relies on the same pair, namely the world's third ranked pair, Shetty/Rankireddy, and MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila.
In the Indonesian camp, changes occurred in the third singles position with the entry of Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, who will be absent in 2022, and Alwi Farhan as debutants in the Thomas Cup. In the doubles number, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto moved up to first doubles position, followed by Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Bagas Maulana or Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin as second doubles.
Also read: Beating Hong Kong, the Indonesian Uber Cup Team has a chance to reach the quarter-finals
The best formation based on rankings to confront India is Anthony, Jonatan, and Chico in the singles sector, as well as Fajar/Rian and Fikri/Bagas in the doubles event.
As in the final match of the 2022 Thomas Cup, every player must remain vigilant even though India is only the sixth seeded team in this championship, while Indonesia is the third seeded team.
Looking at the meeting statistics of the possible formations that will be applied, Indonesia must avoid losing points in the early matches because India has Srikanth in the last singles. He is a player who has more experience in team championships compared to Chico.
Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto failed to contribute to Indonesia's victory when it met Thailand in the Group C qualifier of the Thomas Cup championship. At the Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, on Monday (29/4/2024), Fajar/Rian lost to Peeratchai Supkhun/Pakkapon Teeraratsakul with a score of 19-21, 21-14, 11-21.
The possibility of being left behind early can occur based on meeting statistics and playing order. The playing order, if no athletes play twice, is singles, doubles, singles, doubles, and singles.
Anthony was trailing 2-3 in the match against Prannoy, as well as Fajar/Rian against Shetty/Rankireddy. Fajar/Rian have even lost in their last three meetings and they were the only Indonesian representatives who lost against Thailand on Monday.
Indonesian Team Manager Ricky Soebagdja said that Fajar/Rian's defeat was an evaluation note for facing India. "Moreover, India has more even power," said Ricky.
Double formations can also have another option, which is to drop Fikri/Bagas as the first doubles pair and Leo/Daniel as the second doubles pair. Fikri/Bagas was also trailing 3-4 against Shetty/Rankireddy, but they won in their last encounter in the second round of the All England tournament. Meanwhile, Leo/Daniel won in one match against Dhruv/Kapila in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Orleans Masters. However, both Fikri/Bagas and Leo/Daniel must be prepared for significant pressure as competition with India is likely to be tight.
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung competed against Yeung Sum Yee in a match against Hong Kong at the Uber Cup in Chengdu, China, on Saturday (27/4/2024). Gregoria won 21-15, 21-11.
Don't think about the results
The Indonesian women's squad will also face tough competition when facing Japan. Gregoria Mariska Tunjung will face off against top world players.
Japan is strengthened by three representatives in the top ten world rankings, namely the fourth-ranked women's singles player Akane Yamaguchi, Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida (fourth-ranked women's doubles), and Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara (7). Other players are in the top 20 world rankings.
Also read: Emphasize Togetherness in Team Championships
As for the Indonesian team, only Gregoria and Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti have made it into the top ten of world rankings. Gregoria is also the most experienced player in competing in the Uber Cup, namely in 2016, 2018, and 2020.
The situation can bring a positive side for athletes, which is playing without burden. Moreover, there is nothing at stake for the Indonesian squad as they have already qualified for the quarterfinals. Indonesian players can use the match to prepare for the next phase after the group stage.
Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi faced off against Uganda's Gladys Mbabazi in a Group C qualifying match of the Uber Cup at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, on Monday, 29 April 2024. Komang emerged victorious with a score of 21-6, 21-13.
“Overall, the four women's singles are ready to appear against Japan. Everyone has a strong desire to prove themselves," said women's singles coach Herli Djaenudin.
Herli also reminded his players to stay enthusiastic and give their best performance. "Whether you win or lose, that's for later," said Herli.
Indonesia-India Men's Player Meeting Statistics
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting – Prannoy HS 2-3
Jonatan Christie – Prannoy HS 6-3
Jonatan – Lakshya Sen 3-1
Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo – Mon 0-1
Chico – Kidambi Srikanth 0-0
Alwi Farhan – Srikanth 0-0
Fajar Alfian/Muhamad Rian Ardianto – Chirag Shetty/Satwiksairaj Rankireddy 2-3
Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Bagas Maulana – Shetty/Rankireddy 3-4
Fikri/Bagas - MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila 0-0
Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin – Arjun/Kapila 1-0
