SEAToday.com, Jakarta-The Indonesian women's badminton team's dream to win the Uber Cup 2024 had to die. Losing hurts. However, they surpassed their target of reaching the semifinals by snatching the runner-up position.

However, in Uber 1994, the Indonesian female shuttlers performed well against their Chinese counterparts.

The Indonesian team often lose in Uber Cup, which required the shuttlers to perform well as a team. Individually, the shuttlers perform well. However, when they are put in a team, it's a different story.

Indonesia often looks down on its Uber Cup team, as the men's group takes the spotlight.

New hope emerged in the Uber Cup 1975, when Indonesia hosted. The Indonesian squad was quite strong, with Minarni, Taty Sumirah, Utami Dewi, Theresia Widiastuty, Imelda Wigoena, and Regina Masli in it.

The group managed to snatch the Uber Cup title for the first time, defeating Japan in the final with a score of 5-1. That became the reason Indonesia often targeted gold at the event. However, the target was quite hard to reach.

Difficulty in Winning

Indonesia managed to snatch the runner-up title in the Uber Cup of the 1978, 1981, and 1986. The Indonesian Uber Cup team was considered to experience a setback.

The hopes of winning the Uber Cup re-emerged in 1994, as Indonesia had a new badminton star, Susi Susanti. Her skills in playing badminton was undoubted..

She managed to reach the highest achievement in sports, the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona in 1992. That achievement made the public believe that Susi can inject a positive energy to the team that would play at the Uber Cup 1994.

Susi gained supporters, and they welcomed her home when she returned from Barcelona in 1992. Jakarta was left immobile.

"The enthusiasm of the people of Jakarta to welcome the champion in a parade jammed major roads in the city, such as the road from the Semanggi Roundabout to Sudirman Road and Thamrin. The parade coincided with the time people concluded work. Therefore, many people from hotels and shops flocked the streets to see the 5-kilometer parade," as written in an article titled "Kedatangan Sang Juara" on the August 8, 1992 edition of the Dharmasena magazine.

Snatching the Uber Cup

Susi Susanti's presence got her team given a big target for the Uber Cup 1994. Indonesia was chosen as the host, making the pressure to win even larger. The Indonesian badminton association (PBSI) looked for other women's shuttlers.

The team was complete with Susi Susanti, Meiluawati, Eliza Nathanael, Zelin Resiana, Finarsih, Lili Tampi, and the youngest, Mia Audina. The team performed well in each match.

Their growing confidence brought them to win three matches in the group stage. They won against Thailand 5-0, Denmark 3-2, and Sweden 5-0. Indonesia advanced to the semifinal as the group stage winner, and was set to face South Korea.

Indonesia won 4-1 against South Korea. The victory proved that the team's spirit wasn't fading. They stepped into the final to take on defending champion China. Facing them wasn't easy.

Susi Susanti who played first performed with confidence. She won in straight sets against Ye Zhaoying with a score of 11-4, 12-10. Finarsih-Lili Tampi also won, adding to the Indonesian team's score. However, Yuliani Santosa and Eliza Nathanael-Zelin Resiana lost.

When the score became 2-2, it all came down to 14-year-old Mia Audina. Many doubted her skills. She was going against Zhang Ning. However, Mia managed to prove herself.

An exciting match took place when Mia took the lead with a score of 11-7. However, tables turned when Zhang Ning won the second set 10-12. The rubber set was intense. The spectators at the Istora Senayan were left nervous. Finally, Mia managed to win with a score of 11-4, meaning that Indonesia won 3-2.

"When the trophy arrived in Jakarta, the enthusiasm in Senayan was inevitable. Happy tears flooded from the shuttlers, coaches, and PBSI officials. Mia Audina, who played a vital role in the success, was highly praised by the supporters who chanted: "Long live Mia, long live Mia"," said Wahyu Muryadi nad Rihad Wirando in the Tempo report titled "Piala Thomas Diuber, Piala Uber Diraih" on May 28, 1994.

The crowd responded the victory with such enthusiasm. Those who saw it on television were as ecstatic. Indonesia's 19-year-long wait paid off.

Susi Susanti kept the hopes of winning the Uber Cup alive. Although they were doubted at first, their victory proved that a big and experienced shuttler could inject a positive energy and surpass the prediction of many.