KUALA LUMPUR (12 MAY 2010) – Simon Santoso is only 24 but he is a veteran of four Thomas Cup Finals but has yet to get his hands on a winner’s medal. But all that could change this year by the time the 26th edition of the Finals come to an end at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil this Sunday.
The unassuming Simon delivered Indonesia’s winning point in their 3-0 win over surprise package India in the quarter-finals this afternoon.
Simon, who played as third singles in his previous three outings in the Finals in 2004 (Jakarta), 2006 (Tokyo) and 2008 (Jakarta), played as second singles, replacing the injured Sony Dwi Kuncoro.
He did not disappoint himself nor the team officials as he made shortwork of India’s No 3 Arvind Bhatt 21-8, 21-10 for a 3-0 lead. Earlier former Olympic and World champion Taufik Hidayat had given Indonesia a 1-0 with a hard fought 21-12, 10-21, 21-17 battle that last one hour against Kashyap Parupalli, the Indian No 2.
Indonesia were 2-0 up when Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan beat Sanave Thomas-Akshay Dewalkar 21-16, 21-17.
“It does not matter if I am playing in the second or third singles. I am used to play such roles in my previous three appearances in the Finals since I made my debut as an 18-year-old.
“I am pleased to have delivered the winning point and help my team advance to the semi-finals. Of course I wish to be part and parcel of the team in the coming matches. We have a strong lineup and I confident we can go all the they after coming unstuck in the semifinals in the last three editions...and I happen to be in that team,” said Simon.
“We are determined to bring the Cup back to Indonesia. We are determined to keep our country’s flag flying...the merah-putih (red and white, Indonesian colour) boys have promised that and I am confident this team willl deliver what has been promised,” chipped in team manage Yakob Rusdianto.
Meanwhile, Yakob said Sony has recovered from his back injury but was not fielded against India today due to his lack of match fitness. Sony picked up the injury while playing against Arvind Bhatt (India) in Group D preliminary round match on Monday. Indonesia won the match 4-1.
