Rionny Mainaky Is Optimistic To Be Able To Overcome Malaysia In The Top 8 Of The Sudirman Cup: We Are Confident, But Not Overconfident

Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Head of The Central Board of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PP PBSI)'s Achievement Development Division, Rionny Mainaky, said he was optimistic that the Indonesian team would be able to overcome the Malaysian team's resistance in the Sudirman Cup quarter-finals, Friday.

"I'm sure they can perform optimally with our strengths. In all sectors, we will display our core and strongest strengths. I hope that all players can play optimally like yesterday against Denmark," said Rionny through PP PBSI's press release after the quarter-final draw was held, Friday morning reported by Antara.

In the quarter-final draw held by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) at Energia Areena, Vantaa, Friday morning Indonesian Western Time (WIB), Hendra Setiawan and his friends will be challenged by Malaysia.

Being in the lower half, if they escape from Malaysia, the Garuda squad will meet the winner between the second seed and the winner of Group D Japan and the runner up of Group B, Taiwan in the semifinals.

While in the upper half, the first seed and winner of Group A, China met Denmark (runner up in Group C). While the fourth seed South Korea, who also won Group B, will meet Thailand, the runner-up in Group A.

Indonesia's strength points, said Rionny, lie in the men's doubles, women's doubles, mixed doubles, and women's singles sectors.

"We are confident, but we must not overdo it. I have confidence that we can overcome Malaysia," he said.

For the men's singles, Rionny assesses the strength between Indonesia and Malaysia is balanced. "For the men's singles, the strength is crowded. Even so, I hope that all sectors can take points," he said.

The semifinal match for the Sudirman Cup will be held on Friday, October 1. Indonesia meets Malaysia in the afternoon match at 16.00 p.m. local time or 20.00 p.m. Indonesian Western Time.