Kuala Lumpur, May 11: A freak accident which ruled out Asian Games champion Kanako Yonekura a day before the team left for Kuala Lumpur could have cost the Japanese a shot at the Uber Cup title.
Japan, one of the top contenders for the Uber Cup, were left ruing their chances when they were edged 2-3 by 1998 finalists Indonesia in a crucial Group B encounter tonight.
Kanako was left out of the team at the last minute after she broke her nose and injured her leg after falling while cycling.
The victory has enhanced the Indonesian team's chances of qualifying for the semifinal from the tough group.
The odds will be on Japan now as they will have to beat Denmark and also Malaysia to stay in the hunt while Indonesia just have the simple task of clinching victory against Malaysia this Saturday.
Indeed, Kanako's absence was sorely missed as her replacement, Ida Takako failed to sustain the pressure in the crucial second singles slot.
She crumbled in the important decider against Indonesia up and coming shuttler Ellen Angelina and was soundly beaten 1-11, 5-11 in just 25 minutes.
"Our job was made easier as Kanako was not fielded in the second singles as what we thought would be. We knew that Angelina had a better chance of winning if she played against Takako."
"We are happy with the 3-2 result tonight. What matters more is that we have won this crucial match," said Indonesia women's doubles coach Emel Wigoeno.
Indonesia had to come from behind to win. Japan's first singles player Yasuko Mizui gave her team an early boost when she defeated Indonesian Open winner Lidya Djaelawijaya 11-5, 11-4.
However, doubles pair Eliza Nathanael-Deyana Lomban levelled the score for Indonesia when they won 15-8, 15-6 against Yoshiko Iwata-Haruko Matsuda.
After Angelina put Indonesia ahead 2-1, it was left to the experienced second doubles pair of Etty Tantri-Cynthia Tuwankotta to secure the final outcome.
Despite a second game battle, Etty-Chthia managed to prevail and eventually won the match for Indonesia when they won 15-4, 15-13.
Tanaka Miho managed to salvage some Japanese pride when she defeated Yuli Marfuah 11-8, 11-9 in the final match, which was of no importance.
