Indonesia fails to stop mighty China in Uber Cup final

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 05/17/2008 9:19 PM  |  Sports

Indonesian women's badminton team failed Saturday to defeat star-studded China at the women's team Uber Cup championship.

China took an early lead when first single world's No. 1 Xie Xinfang defeated Maria Kristin, ranked 24th, 21-8, 21-15.

First doubles Lilyana Natsir and Vita Marissa, ranked 9th, brought a chance of an equalizer when they forced world's No. 1 to play a rubber-set match after trailing 15-21, 21-19. The Indonesians, however, were defeated 16-21 in the decider.

China sealed its sixth consecutive win, a new tournament record, after world's No. 3 Lu Lan defeated Adriyanto Firdasari, ranked 38th, 21-12, 21-10.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono presented the Uber Cup to China's head coach Li Yongbo. Accompanying him were First Lady Christiani Herawati, State Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Adhyaksa Dault and chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Association Sutiyoso.

Indonesia last won Uber Cup in 1994 and 1996. Sunday's appearance at the final stage was Indonesia's first since 1998 when it lost to China.

Despite the lost, the Indonesian women's shuttlers exceeding their initial target of reaching only the semifinals.

On the other hand, the men's team failed to reach final after being defeated 0-3 by South Korea on Friday.

Entering the final stage for the first time, South Korea will challenge defending champion China on Sunday. (nvn)

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