T

he Indonesian badminton team may look a bit depleted from the departure of experienced players ahead of the Sudirman Cup championship, but veteran shuttler Chandra Wijaya believes the odds can be beaten on the court.

The biennial world mixed-team badminton championship will begin on May 10 in Guangzhou, China.

"With the strength we currently have, it's not realistic *to have a target of just reaching the final*. However, on the court, thing can happen in a totally different way," doubles specialist Chandra said Tuesday on the sidelines of a press conference at the Chandra Wijaya Men's Doubles badminton tournament.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has set a target for the squad to reach the final at the championship, named after Indonesian badminton legend Dick Sudirman, which the country only won in 1989.

China has won it six times and South Korea three times.

"Looking back from my experience, even those who were favorites to win could lose," said Chandra, who played in the Sudirman Cup six times since 1997.

The team will be without singles ace Taufik Hidayat and mixed doubles member Vita Marissa, both of whom resigned from the training camp for personal reasons.

Indonesia, seeded second, is in Group B with Japan, England and third seed China. Group A comprises top seed Denmark, fourth seed Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Indonesia was beaten 3-0 by China in the 2007 final in Glasgow.

But Chandra remained upbeat.

"Don't be discouraged. When others say it is realistically impossible, then it's a challenge for the players to make it possible. Always thirst for achievement. So go there with optimism," he urged.

Indonesia is sending Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Simon Santoso and Tommy Sugiarto (men's singles); Maria Kristin and Adriyanti Firdasari (women's singles); Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan, Bona Septano/Muhammad Ahsan, and Rian Sukmawan/Yonatan Suryatama (men's doubles); Shendy Puspa Irawati/Meliana Jauhari and Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda (women's doubles); Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir and Devin Lahardi/Lita Nurlita (mixed doubles), and reserve Fran Kurniawan.

Half the squad members will be playing in their first Sudirman Cup.

Head coach Christian Hadinata reminded the squad to stay fit ahead of their May 6 departure.