Indonesia's Markis Kido (front) and Hendra Setiawan returns a shot to Japan's Tadashi Ohtusak and Keita Masuda during their men's badminton Team League Stage match at the Asian Games in Doha December 3, 2006. [Reuters]

Against two weaker rivals, Indonesia needed a little effort to sweep Japan and Thailand 5-0 and 3-2 successively as they walked over the last two meaningless rubbers to save the best for the semifinals.

After beating Shoji Sato from Japan in straight sets this morning, Indonesian top shuttler Taufik Hidayat said that "I just played slowly because I want to save my energy for this afternoon. "

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In the battle against Thai top player Boonsak Ponsana in the afternoon, Athens Olympic champion Taufik won in an easier way even beyond his expectation.

Taufik led 6-2 in the first set when Thai top player Ponsana came to the net and said a few words to him. Then both of the players picked up their racket bags and stepped out of the court.

"Ponsana said he was ill and decided to give up," said Taufik.

Afterwards, Indonesian doubles top pair Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan overcame Phattapol Ngensrisuk and Nattaphon Nakthong 21- 18, 21-19 before Simon Santoso, who blew off Chinese newbie Chen Jin on Saturday, came from one set down to win over Poompat Sapkulchananart 19-21, 21-10 and 21-14 for an invincible 3-0 lead for Indonesia.

Therefore, Indonesia abandoned the remaining two matches, which were later awarded to Thailand, but still stood for an overall 3-2 victory.

Indonesian is slated to lock horn with arch rival China again in the semifinals on Monday. In the group session, China beat Indonesia to grab the first semifinal place.

Malaysia and South Korea are going to clash in another semifinal battle on Monday.

In the women's section, South Korea who suffered a shock loss 3- 2 in a fierce battle against Japan on Wednesday, had to fight for the last semifinal berth against both Indonesia and Hong Kong of China, the runners-up in the other two groups.

In the morning, South Korea fought off Indonesia 3-2. Hwang Hye Yeon won over Fransiska Ratnasari 21-13 and 21-8, Lee Kyung Won and Lee Hyo Jung put South Korea 2-0 with a 21-11, 21-9 win before Indonesia fought back through Adriyanti Firdasari who beat Lee Yun Hwa 21-10, 20-22 and 21-7.

Then, Hwang Yu Mi and Ha Jung Eun eliminated their Indonesian peers 21-19, 21-18 for an unbeatable lead 3-1.

In the afternoon, South Korea rallied from one point down to beat Hong Kong of China 3-2 to grasp their last straw for the semifinals.

After Hwang Hye Yeon lost the opener to Yip Pui Yin 21-19, 11- 21 and 21-12, Lee Hyo Jung and Hwang Yu Mi levelled for South Korea by beating Koon Wai Chee Louisa and Wong Man Ching 21-13 and 21-10.

Lee Yun Hwa then put the Koreans ahead, winning over Ng Ka Shun Assunta 21-5 and 21-8, before Lee Kyung Won and Ha Jung Eun secured the berth, beating Yip Pui Yin and Chau Hoi Wah 21-7 and 21-11.

The third singles between Jun Jae Youn and Wong Olivia Sin Yee was awarded to Hong Kong of China as South Korea walked by.

In Monday's semifinals, South Korea will meet the unbeatable Chinese line-up and Singapore is going to fight against Japan.