INDONESIA KEEPS UBER CUP

HONG KONG, May 25, 1996 (D.Shuttlenws) - Indonesia today defeated a
youthful Chinese team 4 matches to 1 in the finals of the world women's
team championships of badminton to retain the Uber Cup in Indonesian
hands.

China's young players did not have the composure to withstand the
pressure of playing in the championship tie of the most important
women's badminton competition.  On the other hand, Indonesia's veterans
like Susi Susanti, Lili Tampi and Finarsih carried them through.

In the opening singles match, Susi Susanti unsettled Ye Zhaoying with
a mid-match change to an attacking style to stage a comeback win 4-11
11-5 11-5.

In the second match, Gu Jun and Ge Fei of China got their composure
back in time to beat Eliza and Zelin Resiana 7-15 15-8 15-12.

Mia Audina, a Uber Cup finals veteran at the age of 16, met the Chinese
junior player, Wang Chen, a surprise selection by the Chinese coaches,
in the third match.  Audina took advantage of Wang's rookie miscues
and beat her with ease 11-4 11-6.

In the fourth match, Indonesians Lili Tampi and Finarsi capitalized on
a tentative and defensive Qin Yiyuan and Tang Yongshu to win the first
game 15-9 and to reach match point at 14-10 in the second.

The ensuing series of exchanges were fast and furious as the Chinese
fought to stay in the match.  In the end though, the younger Chinese
made the final error and the Indonesians won 15-10.

Jubilation erupted on the Indonesian's side as they rushed Tampi and
Finarsi and hugged them with joy while the Indonesian supporters sang
and cheered in the stands.

Indonesia's women had come through with a great win after poor
performances in 1995 and early 1996.

In the academic fifth match, Meiluawati of Indonesia defeated a tearful
and half-interested Zhang Ning 11-6 11-2.


COPYRIGHT (c)1996 by D.Shuttlenws@genie.com