KUALA LUMPUR, Indonesia can breathe easy after fighting back from a set down to beat the Philippines 2-1 and advance to the quarter-finals of the doubles event in the premier division of the 2024 Sepak Takraw World Cup as Group C runners-up today.
In the group’s last match at the Titiwangsa Stadium here, there were some anxious moments in the Indonesian camp when they lost the first set before the trio of Rusdi, Muhammad Hardiansyah Muliang and Diky Apriyadi found their rhythm to win the next two.
The Indonesians, gold medallists in the doubles event gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, scored a dramatic 7-15, 15-7, 17-16 win over Filipinos Jason Huerte, Rhejey Ortouste and Fritz Gerald Garsola.
Rusdi, who has been representing Indonesia since the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, told reporters he was relieved to have defeated the Philippines and secured their place in the last eight.
“Glad we made it although it was close in the third set. We only focused on taking it one point at a time until victor
y was secured.
“We came here to win and make our country proud… whoever we meet (in the knockout round), we are prepared,’ said the 24-year-old Rusdi, who hails from Makassar.
Meanwhile, the defeat to Indonesia saw the Philippines missing the cut as they fell to the bottom of the standings in the group without a win, having also lost to Myanmar on Saturday (May 18).
Myanmar emerged as Group C champions with two wins, including over Indonesia yesterday.
Myanmar will next take on the Group B runners-up while Indonesia will face the Group B champions.
The Group B champions and runners-up will be decided later tonight when Vietnam and India square off as both teams had beaten China earlier.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency