Indonesia is More Cautious Against India in the Suhandinata Cup

GUWAHATI, THURSDAY – The meeting between Indonesia and India in the 2024 Suhandinata Cup badminton championship will be repeated this year. This time, the "Merah Putih" squad must be more vigilant.

There are various factors that compel Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah and his colleagues to maintain a high level of vigilance in the junior mixed team badminton championship, one of which is that this meeting occurs at a higher stage, namely the semifinals.

Indonesia advanced to the semifinals after defeating Taiwan 2-0 in the quarterfinals held at the National Centre of Excellence, Guwahati, India, on Thursday (9/10/2025). Meanwhile, India eliminated South Korea 2-1. In another quarterfinal, China triumphed over Malaysia 2-0, and Japan defeated the United States 2-1.

The semifinal match between Indonesia and India, which will take place on Friday, is one level higher compared to their encounter in the quarterfinals in Nanchang, China, in 2024. At that time, Indonesia won with a cumulative score of 110-92. Indonesia's journey that year concluded with a championship title.

Another factor that will add pressure for Indonesia is that the Indian players will be playing at home, thus receiving support from the majority of the audience. That support also serves as a source of motivation for them when they eliminated three-time world champions, South Korea, in the quarter-finals.

India has reached the semifinals for the first time after failing to advance past the quarterfinals five times, specifically in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024.

India defeated South Korea, 2-1, after initially trailing 0-1. This score represents a significant outcome from the match, which utilized a relay system in three sets (rounds). Each set consists of five events, namely men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles.

In each match, every player must score nine points and its multiples until reaching a score of 45 to win a set. India initially fell behind, losing 44-45 in the first set. By gaining an advantage in each match, India extended the contest against South Korea to three sets.

The host team was trailing 16-18 in the second set of the third match, but they ultimately overtook their opponents in the last three matches to win 45-33. For the first time, India will stand on the podium and receive a medal, at least a bronze.

"I am happy that we were able to win a medal, but the championship is not over yet. We must not be complacent and need to play better in the semifinals," said Indian women's singles player, Unnati Hooda, on the official BWF website.

India's doubles coach, Vladimir Sozonov, stated that a victory in the quarter-finals would relieve the players of any burden as they enter the next round. Sozonov is confident that India can achieve any position after winning the quarter-finals.

The sense of self-confidence, but without pressure, is what Indonesia must be cautious of. Moreover, the relay scoring system, which requires players to only accumulate nine points, creates equal winning opportunities for all teams.

As stated by the Manager of the Indonesian Team, Eng Hian, on the official PB Djarum website, players must strive to score points as quickly as possible. However, on the other hand, they must also maintain the quality of their shots to avoid making mistakes.

Eng Hian hopes that the players will not be burdened by their status as defending champions.

Indonesian women's doubles player, Riska Anggraini, stated that if she and Rinjani Kwinara Nastine are fielded against India, the mental factor will be a concern. Riska mentioned that this factor will determine the game and the outcome, as the technical abilities of all players are balanced.

In addition, Riska must make a strong effort to assist her partner because Rinjani always has to play dual roles, namely in women's doubles and mixed doubles. "My partner's energy and focus will definitely be more drained. Therefore, I must ensure that Jani does not lose her focus. As much as possible, I need to help Jani so that she does not become too exhausted," said Riska.

In another category, Zaki will continue to be the mainstay in men's singles. A similar responsibility is held by Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan in women's singles. Eng Hian hopes that the players will not feel burdened by the status of defending champions.

At the Arctic Open BWF World Tour Super 500 tournament, Indonesia's representatives were eliminated in the second round. Out of three women's doubles pairs representing "Merah Putih" in Vantaa, Finland, two pairs were knocked out in the second round and one in the first round.

Rachel Allessya Rose/Febi Setianingrum put up a strong fight against the third-seeded Japanese pair, Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi, but ultimately lost with a score of 14-21, 29-30. Meanwhile, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari were defeated by the second seeds, Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (Malaysia) with scores of 15-21, 13-21.

"There are many lessons learned today. Earlier, we played to the maximum, trying everything. We also learned to be more patient, not to rush, and to avoid carelessly returning the ball. We are grateful even though the results are not as desired," said Rachel.

Meanwhile, Febi believes that the opponent's maturity allows them to control their emotions, preventing them from hastily seeking a final resolution. "Rachel and I need to learn this," she said.

After a brief journey in the Open Arctic, Rachel/Febi, Amalia/Meilysa, and Lanny Tria Mayasari/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi will compete in the Denmark Open Super 750, from October 14 to 19.

They will join Indonesian players who were absent in Finland, such as Alwi Farhan, Putri Kusuma Wardani, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, and Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu.

Indonesia – Taiwan Quarterfinal Results

Set I

Moh Zaki Ubaidillah vs Chieh Dan Yang9-6

Riska Anggraini/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs Hui Hsin Huang/Pin Chen Liao 18-12

Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan vs Xiao Ting Su 27-17

Ikhsan Lintang Pramudya/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs Hung Bing Fu/Chou Yun An 36-31

Muhammad Rizki Mubarrok/Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono vs Wei Ting Lee/Cheng Han Tsai 45-35

Set II

Moh Zaki Ubaidillah vs Huang Jyun Kai9-2

Riska Anggraini/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs Chou Yun An/Hui Hsin Huang 18-10

Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan vs Liao Jui Chi 27-20

Ikhsan Lintang Pramudya/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs Hung Bing Fu/Chou Yun An 36-30

Muhammad Rizki Mubarrok/Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono vs Wei Ting Lee/Cheng Han Tsai 45-35

Set III (not played)

Moh Zaki Ubaidillah vs Huang Jyun Kai

Riska Anggraini/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs Chou Yun An/Hui Hsin Huang

Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan vs Shu Yu Wen