I deserve equal chance, says Indra

Musthofid ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Samarinda   |  Tue, 07/15/2008 10:36 AM  |  Sports

Despite playing second fiddle to Tommy Sugiarto at the national training camp, Indra Bagus Candra stunned his fellow trainees at the National Games on Monday.

Indra, who is playing for North Sumatra, chalked a 21-14, 17-21, 21-17 win over the third seed Tommy of Jakarta in the quarterfinal men's singles matches of the badminton competition at the Palaran badminton hall in Samarinda.

"I want to prove that I deserve the chance to play for Indonesia," 21-year-old Indra said after the match.

Tommy was the fourth singles player in Indonesian Thomas Cup team after winning a place in the selection, which also included Alamsyah, Andreas Adityawarman and Andre Kurniawan.

Indra said the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) should have invited him to the selection.

In the third game, Indra almost let himself lose when Tommy, who was five points down, looked to make his way up. However, Indra quickly managed to exploit Tommy's fault to close the game and the match.

"We know each other well because we train together at the national camp. I had no burden. Tommy probably did. He is typically a defensive player and good at long rallies, but I could pressure him with attacks to take control of the game," Indra said.

The win was Indra's back-to-back second. He also beat Tommy in the group matches in the men's team event.

Tommy's defeat dealt the team's hopes for possible all Jakarta final with Simon already taking his semifinal place with a 21-12, 21-17 win over Ahmad Rivai of Banten and will take on Ari Yuli Wahyu of East Kalimantan, a 21-17, 21-14 winner over Alamsyah of Jakarta.

Indra will face Andre Kurniwan of Central Java in the other semifinal match. Andre, who helped Central Java win the team's event, defeated Fauzi Adnan of East Java 21-11, 21-18.

In the women's singles and doubles, Jakarta has two players in the semifinals. Top seed Adriyanti Firdasari will take Febi Angguni of West Java while second seed Pia Zebadiah is up against Maria Elfira of Central Java.

In the doubles, Endang Nursugianti and Rani Mundiastuti will have to overcome Greysia Polii and Nathalia Poluakan of North Sulawesi in the semifinals to stage a possible final with teammates Jo Novita and Pia Zebadiah. Jo and Pia meet Lelyana Daisy and Shendy Puspa in the semifinals.

Four pairs of different teams are vying for places in the finals: Joko Riyadi and Rendra Wijaya of Jakarta, Bambang Supriyanto and Tony Gunawan of East Java, Fernando Kurniawan and M. hasan of North Maluku, and Frans Kurniawan and Lingga Lie of Central Java.

West Java has a bigger chance in the mixed doubles, having two pairs in the semifinals. Top seeds Devin Lahardi and Lita Nurlita face Frans Kurniawan and Meiliana while Hendra AG and Devi Tika have a shot at Muhammad Rijal and Yulianti.

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