Performance Against Japan Becomes Positive Capital for the Indonesian Uber Team to Face Thailand
Indonesia lost to Japan in determining the winner of Group C. However, Gregoria et al received provisions for the quarter-final match.
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Indonesia's sole daughter, Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, returned the shuttlecock towards Japan's sole daughter, Tomoka Miyazaki, in the Group C qualifier match of the 2024 Uber Cup at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, on Wednesday (1/5/2024). Komang Ayu won the match 21-12, 14-21, 21-13.
CHENGDU, WEDNESDAY — Despite failing to clinch the champion title of Group C, the Indonesian Uber Cup team put up a strong fight against the powerful Japanese team. Playing freely and without the burden of pressure, Indonesia showed an improvement in their game. This serves as a positive momentum as they prepare for the quarter-final match against Thailand.
Indonesia lost to Japan, 2-3, in the final group stage match of the Thomas and Uber Cup Championship, Wednesday (1/5/2024), at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China. With this result, Indonesia secured second place in the Group C standings. The draw brought together Indonesia and the winner of Group B, Thailand.
Fighting against Japan, which has three representatives ranked in the top 10 in the world, Indonesia put up a fierce resistance. Four out of five matches even ended in three games.
Also read: Tests for Determining Thomas and Uber Cup Group Champions
Indonesia's two wins were created by the first women's singles, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, and the third women's singles, Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi. Gregoria, ranked ninth in the world, beat Japanese women's singles ranked fourth in the world, Akane Yamaguchi, 17-21, 21-17, 21-13.
Indonesia's singles badminton player, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, poses after competing against Japan's representative, Akane Yamaguchi, in the 2024 Uber Cup group stage at the Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre in Chengdu, China on Wednesday (1/5/2024). Gregoria won 21-17, 17-21, 13-21.
This is Gregoria's fifth victory out of 19 meetings against Yamaguchi. Gregoria's last victory before the Uber Cup was created took place in front of Akane's supporters, during the quarter-finals of the 2023 Japan Open. Gregoria won 17-21, 25-23, 21-18.
Four out of five of those victories were always achieved through closely fought matches that went up to three games. Only at the 2022 Malaysia Open did Gregoria win in straight sets with a score of 21-14, 21-14.
Until the third game, my steady and consistent self-confidence meant that I didn't make too many mistakes.
Regardless of that, Gregoria showed an improvement in her game from her previous meeting with Yamaguchi at the All England 2024 two months ago. At that time, Gregoria lost 10-21, 22-20, 18-21 after losing the deciding game by a narrow score.
Also read: Small Mistakes Stop Gregoria
Gregoria often "gives" points to her opponent through small mistakes, such as inaccurate serves that do not pass the net perfectly. In addition, she made mistakes in assessing Yamaguchi's serve returns.
Indonesia's single daughter, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (left), during her match against Japan's single daughter, Akane Yamaguchi, in a group stage match of the 2024 Uber Cup at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, on Wednesday (1/5/2024).
In the Uber Cup, Gregoria made some mistakes that caused her to lose the first game. However, in the second and third games, Gregoria changed. She played more patiently so she could earn points from various variations, ranging from net play, clever ball placement, and careful observation of Yamaguchi's movements.
Even so, Gregoria was able to start the third game convincingly and capture six consecutive points before the interval. Gregoria's confidence grew after creating an 11-point lead when the score reached 19-8.
"After the third game, my continuously stable and consistent self-confidence made me not make too many mistakes," said Gregoria after the match.
On the other hand, Yamaguchi appeared frustrated with Gregoria's attacks. The former world number one in women's singles badminton was unable to block or anticipate Gregoria's cross-court shots multiple times. Despite earning five consecutive points after Gregoria only needed two more points to secure victory, Yamaguchi ultimately had to admit defeat to her opponent.
Apart from Gregoria, Indonesia reduced its main strength to two other women's singles, namely Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo and Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi. The women's doubles created a new duet between Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and Lanny Tria Mayasari. Fadia is usually paired with Apriyani Rahayu, while Lanny is paired with Rebekah Sugiarto. Apart from that, the women's doubles also fielded Rachel Alessya Rose/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari.
Also read: There are still weaknesses in the Indonesian team
Before the match, the coach of the Indonesian badminton national training center's women's doubles, Eng Hian, explained that Fadia was intentionally paired with Lanny because Apriyani was still recovering from an injury. Eng Hian did not want to take the risk of playing Apriyani in a tight match against Japan. Meanwhile, Ribka is not fully fit yet after being hit with the flu.
Indonesia's women's doubles, Lanny Tria Mayasari/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, are trying to return the shuttlecock towards Japanese women's doubles Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida in the group stage of the 2024 Uber Cup at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China on Wednesday (1/5/2024).
This is the first time Fadia and Lanny have teamed up. They immediately faced the 4th-ranked women's doubles pair in the world, Nami Matsuyama/Chiuharu Shida. Gregoria's previous victory added motivation for Fadia/Lanny to also score points for Indonesia. Although they ultimately lost 9-21, 22-20, 16-21, Fadia/Lanny also provided a strong resistance to Matsuyama/Shida.
Unlike the first game, Fadia/Lanny have found the right rhythm in the second game. After creating an 11-8 lead at the interval, they never allowed their opponents to surpass their point tally until they reached the critical points. Japan took the lead at 18-17 and both pairs of female players alternately led.
Also read: Beating Thailand's Youth Squad, Indonesia to Quarter-Finals
For a pair who have never played together in a match before, Fadia/Lanny created a nice combination. Lanny said there was miscommunication due to different habits with each partner. However, they eventually enjoyed the game, especially when they won the second game.
"In the third set, we followed the same pattern but they were more prepared, with a considerable point gap. That made it difficult for us to catch up," he said.
The sole representative of Indonesia's women's singles, Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, expressed disappointment after failing to return a shuttlecock towards her opponent, Aya Ohori, in the group stage match of the 2024 Uber Cup held at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, on Wednesday (5/1/2024).
The defeat of Fadia/Lanny made Japan equalize the score to 1-1. To claim the group champion position and meet the second-ranked from the other group, Indonesia must secure two more victories. The burden is now on the shoulders of Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, who will play after Fadia/Lanny.
Like Indonesia's previous two matches, Ester also put up a tough fight against the Japanese players. Although ultimately losing 21-14, 20-22, 18-21 to Japanese representative Aya Ohori, Ester was able to match her opponent's game. With full confidence, Ester took the first game in 17 minutes.
After leading 8-4, Ester never allowed her opponent to catch up. She maintained her lead by creating points from unexpected hits in different directions by Ohori.
When losing the second and third games, Ester troubled Ohori with her strikes and her meticulousness in evaluating which shots to take. In the third game, Ester repeatedly caught up with the points. However, she lost her focus, allowing Ohori to eventually score two consecutive points to win the match.
"I think my performance today was quite good, but unfortunately I haven't been able to win. There were some mistakes I made while my opponent was more mature, they were under pressure but managed to get out of that situation," said Ester.
Ester cried after the defeat. However, Ester had shown a tough fight against a player with a much higher ranking. Ester is ranked 38th in the world, while Ohori is ranked 11th in the world.
The 19-year-old badminton player realized that for the next match, he must increase his level of focus and composure. He also showed a different performance from their last meeting three years ago at the 2020 Uber Cup.
Also read: Initial Scenario Goes Well
At that time, which was also a match to determine the group champion, Ester lost two straight games 21-14, 21-7. Ester was unable to withstand Ohori's domination and often made her own mistakes, such as imperfect shuttlecock returns.
In the fifth match, Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi was able to win against Tomoka Miyazaki with a score of 21-12, 14-21, 21-13. This victory does not change the final result for Indonesia because Meilysa Trias Puspitasari/Rachel Allessya Rose lost in the fourth match which became the deciding factor. However, this victory can also be a positive foundation for Komang's next match.
Overall, with a tough fight against Japan, Indonesia obtained a good foundation for looking towards the quarter-finals. With a ranking of second place in the standings, Indonesia will face the champion from another group. Meanwhile, the meeting between the champion and the second place is determined through a draw held shortly after the Indonesia versus Japan match ends.
The lottery results show that Indonesia will meet the champion of Group B and the semifinalist of the 2022 Uber Cup, Thailand. If Indonesia manages to overcome Thailand's resistance, they will face the winner of the match between Taiwan and the 2022 Uber Cup champion, South Korea.
Indonesia-Japan Uber Cup Match Results
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung-Akane Yamaguchi 17-21, 21-17, 21-13
Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti/Lanny Tria Mayasari-Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida9-21, 22-20, 16-21
Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo-Aya Ohori 21-14, 20-22, 18-21
Meilysa Trias Puspitasari/Rachel Allessya Rose-Rena Miyaura/Ayako Sakuramoto9-21, 15-21
Komang Ayu Cahya-Tomoka Miyazaki 12-21, 21-14, 13-21
