Indonesia Cancels Match between Thomas and Uber Cup Champions
Appearing in the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cup finals, Indonesia did not receive the championship trophy. Indonesian sons and daughters lost to China.
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CHENGDU, SUNDAY — Despite qualifying together for the final of the Thomas and Uber Cup for the first time since 1998, Indonesia ultimately had to recognize China's superiority in the 2024 final. Of the seven matches that took place in the men's and women's finals between the two countries, Indonesia only won one of them.
In the final match held at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium in China on Sunday (5/5/2024), the Chinese men's team earned the symbol of supreme victory of the men's team world championship, the Thomas Cup, after defeating Indonesia 3-1. Meanwhile, the host country clinched the Uber Cup after winning 3-0.
Also read: Thomas Indonesia Vs China Final: Bagas/Fikri Defeated, Indonesia's Hopes of Champion Run Away
The final match of the Thomas-Uber Cup Indonesia against China in the same edition had occurred before in 1986 in Jakarta, with the same result as this year. China took both trophies home.
Although the Indonesian men's and women's teams received the same position in Chengdu, the results have different meanings. The final played by the Indonesian women's team was the first since the position was last occupied in 2008.
From start to finish, I couldn't get out of the pressure. I didn't find a way to overcome this condition.
The outstanding performance of Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, and other players has received praise from many parties after defeating Thailand in the quarterfinals with a score of 3-0 and eliminating the defending champion, South Korea, in the semifinals (3-2). Thailand was the fourth seed, while South Korea was the second seed.
The Indonesian men's badminton team, also known as "Merah Putih", still holds the title as the best team with 14 Thomas Cup championships. They have also reached the finals four times in the last five editions, but lost in three finals to Denmark (2016), India (2022), and China (2024).
Also read: Praise for the Indonesian Uber Cup Team
The meeting between the Indonesian and Chinese men's teams in Chengdu is the 18th encounter between the two countries since China first participated in the Thomas Cup in 1982. Meanwhile, China's women's team has participated in the Uber Cup since 1984 when both championships were first combined and held every two years. Before 1984 in Kuala Lumpur, the Thomas and Uber Cups were contested every three years in different years.
When China joined, it also became a tough competitor. The men's team became the second-best force, with 11 championship titles, behind Indonesia.
The women's team is more frightening because they have never been absent from the semifinals in 21 participations and have only failed to reach the finals once. Out of 20 finals, they have won 16 times.
Of the four defeats suffered by China in the pinnacle matches, two of them occurred when facing Indonesia in 1994 and 1996, during the era of Susy Susanti, Mia Audina, and Lili Tampi/Finarsih. The other two happened when they played against South Korea in 2010 and 2020.
Also read: Uber Indonesia vs China Final: Ester Loses, China Wins Uber Cup
The strength of China's women persists to this day, although competition in the last ten years has also been characterized by the strength of players from other countries, such as Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and India. The Uber Cup Final in 2024 can also be said to be the champion team with the underdog.
This is different from the competition in the men's team. The strength of Indonesia and China is considered equal, at least judging from the statistics of the players' meetings. Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Fajar Alfian/Muhamad Rian Ardianto lags behind China's best singles and doubles, Shi Yu Qi and Liang Wei Keng/ Wang Chang.
Jonatan Christie and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Bagas Maulana were ahead of Li Shi Feng and He Ji Ting/Ren Xiang Yu. Meanwhile, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo and Lu Guang Zu shared one win in two meetings.
Although statistics from previous meetings cannot always be used as a reference for what will happen in a new competition, Anthony's and Fajar/Rian's difficulties in defeating Shi and Liang/Wang occurred in their first meeting at the Thomas Cup. Anthony's score in the second game against Shi did not even reach two digits. He lost 17-21, 6-21.
Also read: History of the Thomas Cup and Indonesia's Achievement Records
Anthony stated that his poor performance was not due to the pressure of performing in the final, but because he had a difficult time dealing with Shi's precision in anticipating every hit. This is despite the fact that the match was their 11th meeting.
"From the beginning to the end of the match, I couldn't escape the pressure. I couldn't find a way to overcome the situation," said Anthony.
Shi, who was suspended from international tournaments by the Chinese Badminton Association from October 2021 to August 2022 for immature remarks after the 2020 Thomas Cup (held in 2021), returned to good form in This. He won two titles from three finals.
His appearance is even better than that of the world's number one men's singles player, Viktor Axelsen. Prior to defeating Anthony, he won against Lee Zii Jia, 21-19, 21-5, when China beat Malaysia 3-1 in the semi-finals.
Also read: Two "Red and White" Teams in the Final, Chance to Match Thomas and Uber Titles
Fajar/Rian will also bring notes that need to be fixed after losing to Liang/Wang 18-21, 21-17, 17-21. The duo of the same generation, Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin, emerged as young players who made it difficult for top, more senior pairs, including Fajar/Rian. With that defeat, Fajar/Rian are now trailing 2-5.
In a position where Indonesia was trailing 0-2, the match against Li was a must-win for Jonatan, at the very least in order to revive Indonesia's chances of winning. He carried out the task well and defeated Li 21-16, 15-21, 21-17.
The world number three men's singles player shared that he does not want to repeat the moment when he lost against India in the 2022 Thomas Cup final. After Indonesia fell behind 0-2, Jonatan lost in the third match.
His determination when fighting against Li is to boost the spirits of his friends. Therefore, after obtaining the final point, while facing the Indonesian team's tribune, Jonatan pats his left chest where the Indonesian flag is printed on his shirt. He tries to convey that spirit to his colleagues who will play.
Also read: Waiting for the Blessings of the "Underdog" Uber Indonesia Team in the Top Party
Jonatan was the only player in the Indonesian Thomas team to play in all six matches during the qualifiers and always won. Anthony also played in all of Indonesia's matches but lost twice.
Jonatan remained unbeaten even after being eliminated in the first round of the French Open on March 5-10. A week after that defeat, Jonatan won the All England title and became the Asia champion one month later.
However, the spirit that Jonatan instilled was apparently not enough to bring Indonesia to victory. Fikri/Bagas were unable to show their best performance and lost to He/Ren 11-21, 15-21.
The spectators in the stadium also celebrated the two championship titles won by their idols. The Chinese Uber Cup team maintained their dominance, while the Chinese Thomas Cup team is getting closer to Indonesia.