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Kuala Lumpur. Two years on, Indonesia felt that old sinking feeling come back after meeting China in the Uber Cup.

Its women’s team advanced to the semifinals by sweeping three consecutive opponents, including host nation Malaysia. China was a different story, though, as it made short work of Indonesia in a 3-0 victory.

China, which is unbeaten in the Uber Cup in 12 years, faces Korea in Saturday’s final at Putra Stadium. The defending champions beat Indonesia in the 2008 final in Jakarta.

“Despite the loss, we are still proud of them. They’ve given all for the country,” Indonesia Uber Cup team manager Djendjen Djaenanasri said. “We can accept the result because they lost to China, the best women’s team in the world.”

China’s women have long been a dominant force in world badminton. They reached their 13th consecutive Uber Cup final since 1984, with their run of successive titles only broken by Indonesia in 1994 and 1996.

World No. 1 Wang Yihan set the tone in the first singles match, seeing off Maria Febe Kusumastuti 21-7, 21-12. Ma Jin and Wang Xiaoli made it 2-0 for China with a 21-17, 21-13 defeat of Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari in women’s doubles, and Wang Xin completed the sweep by beating Meiliana Jauhari 21-17, 21-15.

Febe, 20, admitted she was still way behind Wang and had much to learn.

“She’s stronger than me and she could anticipate all my moves. I still have to learn much,” Indonesia’s highest-ranked women’s singles shuttler said.

Greysia and Meilana, who were paired together just four months ago, said a lack of experience was behind their loss.

Korea advanced to the final by beating Japan 3-1. Bae Seung-hee started with a 21-12, 21-16 defeat of Eriko Hirose, and Lee Hyo-jung and Kim Min-jung gave the Koreans a 2-0 lead after beating Satoko Suetsuna and Miyuki Maeda 21-19, 21-10.

Japan bounced back as Ai Goto defeated Bae Youn-joo 21-10, 22-20 at No. 2 singles, only for Lee Kyung-won and Ha Jung-eun to finish off the tie with a 21-14, 21-18 triumph against Mizuki Fujii and Reika Kakiiwa. Korea has lost to China five times in Uber Cup finals.

On the men’s side, Indonesia has a golden chance to return to the Thomas Cup final as it faces Japan in the last four. It beat Japan 3-0 in Asian qualifying in February and is confident of doing it again.

“We have experienced defeating them in Thailand, and we are going to face the same players. I’m optimistic we can win. But we have to remember, it is always not easy to beat Japan due to their amazing stamina. Never underestimate them,” No. 1 singles shuttler Taufik Hidayat said.

Top doubles shuttler Markis Kido echoed Taufik’s optimism.

“We defeated both of its doubles in the first and second rounds of the French Open Super Series, where we came out as champions. With the experience, I’m confident enough we can win,” he said.

Japan head coach Park Joo-bong said his team struggled against Malaysia in Group B and Germany in the quarterfinals.

“My players are quite tired, but it’s good we had a day off for recovery. We are ready to play, though it will be difficult against Indonesia,” said Park, whose side reached its first Thomas Cup semifinal. “If our first singles [Kenichi Tago] is in a good condition, then I think he can fight Taufik. Indonesia’s first doubles is stronger, but in the second doubles we still have a chance. They played well against Malaysia and Germany.”