Thomas-Uber Cup updates: We are through!!!

I am not usually very excited watching Indonesia's Uber Cup team after 2000. Yes because China dominates the women badminton for too long and their players are just too good. However, this year is definitely different.

1. We managed to hire Susi Susanti as our Uber manager. Yes, you're right, THAT Susi Susanti, probably the greatest female badminton player of all time. If Jose Mourinho can turn a mediocre club like Porto to win the Champions League, there's no reason for a Susi Susanti to fail to deliver.

2. We have got 2 good doubles. Forget about world's rankings for a while. Vita/Natsir and Jo/Polii are only ranked 9 and 18 in the world respectively (China's women's doubles are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd... and counting). Nevertheless, they're good doubles, comparable with those of China and Korea.

Lilyana Natsir / Vita Marisa, Indonesia's best women doubles, sometimes referred as "duo tomboy". You judge.. :)

3. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Jakarta, where people shout, cheer, and smile happily despite increase in BBM price (Bahan Bakar Minyak = petrol etc). We are behind our Thomas and Uber Cup teams, all the way.

Well, forget about that for a moment. THIS IS THOMAS-UBER CUP!!!

And we are reaching our first final since 1998, by beating Germany 3-1 in the semi-final. What?? Germany?! Yes, I guess before this competition started, not many people would expect Germany to go all the way to semi-final. However, they are good, and they know when to fight and when to have fun.

It's China, favourite, defending champion 2 years ago, 4 years ago, 6 years ago (and yeah, counting) versus Indonesia (plus all its supporters).

My prediction? Well, China is stronger definitely. However, Indonesia will definitely give an excellent fight in the final. China - Indonesia 3-2 (I guess we will score points from at least one double and probably one single). No worries though, we were expected to go into semi-final and now we are in the final match already.

China's winning team 2 years ago. I told you, they are good. They are good.

As for Thomas Cup, despite unimpressive performance by Sony DK and Olympic gold medalist Taufik Hidayat, I still believe we have what it takes to reach the final. I would expect Taufik to win and at least 1 point either from Sony or Simon Santoso. As for doubles, it won't be easy for Markis Kido / Hendra Setiawan, but I think they are gonna beat, most probably Jung Jae Sung / Lee Yong Dae. OK Indonesian ladies, I know Lee Yong Dae has a cute face, and he can be a movie star if he doesn't choose to play badminton, but please support our country =D

Oops wrong photo, but don't you think Lee Yong Dae resembles Rain, the Korean superstar?

Yes Ladies.. I have already warned you ;)

So, I would expect 3-2 or 3-1 to Indonesia depending on which player (s) play first.

It's gonna be Indo versus China also in the Thomas cup final. It's gonna be very interesting! I shall postpone all my to-do list to watch the final! hehehe...

Like Mrs Clinton said, we are going strong, we are going through, we are going ALL THE WAY.

Indonesia, KAMU BISA!!!!!