The badminton schedule for the 2023 Sudirman Cup finals group stage has been released with a mixed-team tournament to take place in Suzhou, China, from 14-21 May 2023.
Based on the draw, the Indonesian badminton team will join Group B along with Thailand, Germany, and Canada. PBSI, as the parent organization of the sport in Indonesia, has not yet announced an official squad to represent the country in Suzhou.
Indonesia’s main goal is undoubtedly bringing home the Sudirman Cup, which so far has only been won once in the distant past in 1989. Only China (12 times) and South Korea (four times) have been able to win the Sudirman Cup after that.
The last time Indonesia set foot in the final of the Sudirman Cup was in 2007 where at that time, the final match of the Cup which took place in Glasgow, Scotland, ended with China’s victory over Indonesia with a score of 3-0.
Thailand is projected to be Indonesia’s toughest rival in the 2023 Sudirman Cup group stage considering Thailand has a solid women’s singles squad in Ratchanok Intanon and Pornpawee Chochuwong.
Thailand also has the world’s number one former mixed doubles, namely Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai, and notable talented young players such as Kunlavut Vitidsarn (men’s singles) and Benyapa Aimsaard / Nuntakarn Aimsaard (women’s doubles).
Indonesian badminton players who are likely to represent the country in Suzhou include the duo Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Jonatan Christie in the men’s singles. The women’s singles are likely to send Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and Putri Kusuma Wardani. Fajar Alfian / Muhammad Rian Ardianto will be the main choice for the men’s doubles and Apriyani Rahayu / Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti in the women’s doubles.
Indonesia will start to compete on the second day, Monday, May 15. Indonesia’s first opponent will be Canada, which can be said to be the underdog in Group B. After that, Indonesia will sequentially face Germany and Thailand in the final match of Group B elimination.
Source: Tempo
