INDONESIANS SHOULD DO WELL IN THOMAS CUP COMPETITION

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28422, 31 October 1957, Page 21

INDONESIANS SHOULD DO WELL IN THOMAS CUP COMPETITION

New Zealand’s second attempt in the Thomas Cup, for international men’s badminton competition, ended in a defeat by Indonesia by 9 games to 0 recently In 1955. New Zealand was beaten by 7 games to 2 by Australia in a similar first-round match. However, this latest entry gives New Zealand a further interest in this competition. All hopes will be for the further success of the Indonesians. The members of this team were acclaimed as one of the finest body of sportsmen to visit this country. They were modest in their overwhelming victory, and ascribed it to the New Zealander’s unfamiliarity with their style of play. This wristy style, used by most Asian players, has to date proved too strong for Europeans. The Malayans, who include the world champion, Eddy Choong. have been supreme since 1949. Their nearest competitor has been Denmark. Indonesia, in its first attempt, promises to be at least the equal of the Danish team. This year’s competition has just begun, and the semi-finals and final will be played in Singapore

in May, 1958. These matches are played in an indoor stadium seating 20,000, and the atmosphere is tense, to say the least. It is generally agreed that Malaya can win two singles (by Eddy Choong) and three doubles matches against any nation in the world, giving them five of the nine games at least. Interest will, therefore, centre on whether Indonesia can reach the final. The manager of the recent team is not very confident, as he considers that the Indonesian doubles play is far inferior to that of the Danes. However, with the match being played in Singapore, Indonesia will have an advantage in the climatic conditions. The only other nation with a chance of reaching this stage is thought to be Thailand.

In later matches the Indonesians will have the services of their top player, F. Sonneville. He is studying in Holland and has beaten, among others, Wong Peng Soon. One member of the Indonesian team has expressed the opinion that its champion, Tan Joe Hok. is the best player in the world, so the match against Denmark should be full of interest.