Eight-time champion China proved its might at the 2013 Sudirman Cup by pummeling Indonesia 5-0 in their Group A qualifying match at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday.



Despite the loss, Indonesia still qualified for the quarterfinals as a runner-up. It defeated India, the other team in the group, 4-1 on Monday.



Team manager Rexy Mainaky tried to shed positive light on the defeat, saying some of Indonesia's players displayed improved performance as they were able to persistently fight their opponents.



'The fact is that we did lose 0-5, but looking at the whole game, our men's doubles pair [Hendra Setiawan/Angga Pratama] and women's singles [Aprilia Yuswandari] showed vast improvement,' Rexy said, as quoted by Antara news agency.



Hendra/Angga, who were paired up for the first time, were able to force Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng to a three-game fight in their 21-16, 15-21, 15-21 loss.



Aprilia stole her first game 21-13 before bowing out in the last two games, 4-21, 11-21, to world number one and London Olympic gold medalist Li Xuerui.



According to China's coach, Li Yongbo, Xuerui suffered a bout of 'stage fright' in the first game because it was her first time playing in the Sudirman Cup.



He added that Xuerui was not familiar with Aprilia's playing style since it was their first encounter.



Rexy conceded to China's tough game, saying any shuttler would find it difficult to score points against Chinese players.



China has won the championship eight times, followed by South Korea with three victories. Indonesia won the Sudirman Cup during the first year it was held in 1989, in Jakarta.



'I hope Indonesia faces easier opponents in the quarterfinals,' Rexy said.



Quarterfinal opponents will be determined through a draw.

Group A result



China 5 Indonesia 0



Men's singles:

Chen Long vs Tommy Sugiarto 21-17, 21-11



Women's singles:

Li Xuerui vs Aprilia Yuswandari 13-21, 21-4, 21-11



Men's doubles:

Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng vs Angga Pratama/Hendra Setiawan 16-21, 21-15, 21-15



Women's doubles:

Wang Xiaoli/Yu Yang vs Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari 21-10, 21-13



Mixed doubles:

Xu Chen/Ma Jin vs Muhammad Rijal/Debby Susanto 21-13, 21-7