The Indonesian Team's Steep Road In The Quarter-Finals Of The 2023 Sudirman Cup

JAKARTA - The Indonesian badminton team will face a steep road on their way to realizing the mission of winning the 2023 Sudirman Cup. The Red and White squad had to meet China in the quarter-finals, Friday, May 19.

In this match, China, which is the host status, is clearly superior. However, this is believed to be able to provide benefits for the Indonesian team because it can appear without a burden.

Team Manager Armand Darmadji said his team was in a combat-ready condition in the face of this match.

"We are in an underdog position. We can even appear burdenless. From the start, whoever opponents will be faced, we are always ready. In the quarter-finals against China, we will deploy the strength of the best players we have," he said.

The Red and White Squad qualified for the last eight as runners-up in Group B, armed with two wins over Germany and Canada, as well as one defeat to Thailand which eventually won the group.

Meanwhile, China, which is the host team, qualified for the quarter-finals as winners of Group A. The Bamboo Curtain country national team wiped out all victories over Denmark, Singapore and Egypt.

Responding to the draw, a number of coaches are also preparing to face China, which will be strong opponents.

From the men's doubles, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto will certainly go down because they are the best pair that Indonesia has brought to the Sudirman Cup.

"We just have to complain and see what the opposing players are like. For me, whoever the opponent we will meet, we will field Fajar/Rian. They are still the best," said men's doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, as quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, the men's singles coach Irwansyah predicts the opposing team will field their best players such as Shi Yu Qi or Li Shi Feng.

"We will lower the strength of the best players. Whoever the opponent is, either Shi Yu Qi or Li Shi Feng, we are ready," Irwansyah said.

The match between Indonesia and China will take place in the afternoon session, which is at 16.00 WIB.