Indonesia opens Suhadinata Cup campaign with 2-0 win over Azerbaijan

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's junior badminton team opened the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Junior Team Championships 2026 with a convincing win over Azerbaijan in a Group C2 match at Cairo International Stadium, Egypt, on Monday.

Indonesia secured both 55-point relay games with scores of 55-25 and 55-11, recording its first victory in the contest for the Suhandinata Cup.

"The first match is never easy," Indonesian team manager Eskar Denatara said in a statement released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) on Monday.

He noted that several players were still adapting to conditions at Cairo International Stadium during the first game, particularly regarding draft and lighting.

In the first game, Indonesia took the lead through mixed doubles pair Moses Andar Simanjuntak and Reya Azzahra Yulianti, who put the Red and White team ahead 11-5 over Ulvi Huseynov and Leyla Jamalzade.

Aurelia Syakira Putri and Yasintha Ristyna Putri then extended the lead to 22-11 in women's doubles, before Mayla Cahya Afilian Pratiwi pulled Indonesia further ahead to 33-16 in women's singles.

Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono and Anju Siahaan continued Indonesia's dominance, taking the score to 44-17 in men's doubles before Radithya Bayu Wardhana closed out the first game at 55-25 in men's singles.

Indonesia proved even more dominant in the second game. Muhammad Luthfi Habibi and Dian Ramadhani Mukti opened without conceding a point to put Indonesia ahead 11-0.

Selsi Josika and Halifia Usni Pratiwi extended the lead to 22-1, followed by Jolin Angelia, who brought the score to 33-5.

Joven Farandi and Joseph Marcellino Kyta then put Indonesia ahead 44-8 before Fathurachman closed out the match with a 55-11 victory.

According to Denatara, wind conditions and changing sides briefly affected shuttlecock control, requiring players time to adjust.

However, support from Indonesian fans present at the arena helped players settle quickly and perform more comfortably in the second game.

Indonesia is placed in Group C2 alongside Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka following a redraw prior to the tournament.

The 2026 BWF World Junior Team Championships run from October 5 to 10 using a 55-point relay format, where each discipline contributes an 11-point segment toward each 55-point game.

Translator: Ramdan, Kenzu
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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