PETALING JAYA: The collapse of badminton giants Indonesia in the Thomas Cup Finals has turned heads.

Former coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said the outcome went beyond the script.

“It did not go as predicted and it’s sad,” said Herry.

It is the first time in almost three decades that Herry is not with the Indonesian team, and he admits he still feels the pain of his former side.

Yesterday, France made a huge statement by outplaying 14-time Thomas Cup champions Indonesia 4-1 in the final Group B tie at Forum Horsens, to seal a spot in the quarter-finals.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee director Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei said the win did not come as a surprise but he was taken aback with the improvement shown by their doubles.

Chong Wei was particularly impressed with the improvement shown by the doubles players Adam Eloi and Leo Rossi, who stunned the more experienced Moh Reza-Sabar Karyaman 21-19, 21-19.

The 27-year-old Eloi, and Leo, 26, delivered the fourth point after France built their lead through singles wins from Christo Popov, Alex Lanier and Toma Junior Popov, who defeated Jonatan Christie, Alwi Farhan and Anthony Ginting respectively.