Lanka in line for VB Gold

Bernard Perera

VOLLEYBALL: Sri Lankans are in line for a medal for volleyball in the ongoing 10th South Asian Games volleyball championship. They proved this when they trounced the mighty Pakistanis three games to two in a thrilling encounter witnessed by a jam-packed stadium.

This win was a historic one for Sri Lankan volleyball. The last win for Sri Lanka against Pakistan was recorded in sixties almost 40 years ago under the leadership of famous Charles which team included the legendry Siriwardene from Gampaha. The victor also brought the Ali Jinnah Trophy to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). Since then the Lankans never won against Pakistan at any level of this game.

Yesterday's game was one of the best seen in the past two decades. Pakistan came as firm favourites and held a slender lead but Lankan spikers kept the pressure on and lost the set at 25-23.

The second set took a different turn with Sri Lanka moving ahead. The scores changing hands but none of the teams could get the upper hand and this ended in favour of the hosts at 25-23. Pakistanis sensing the danger fought back to win the third set 25-20. This was the only set where one team went ahead from the start to finish.

Never say die spikers Sri Lanka with more determination proved that they are capable of facing any sort of challenge.

Lankans achievement here was creditable as they fought all the way to stretch the Pakistanis and win the set at 29-27 to level at 2 sets all.

The deciding set began with cheers from all quarters of the stadium, resulting more encouragement for players. Players kept the spectators on the edge of their seats with a spectacular performance going into the lead early.

Pakistan defence could not stop the fierce onslaught from their opponent spearheaded by their skipper Kalika Wasanthapriya, Sameera, Kodagoda and Sunil.

This quartet was instrumental in this great victory and this set paved the why for Lankans to overcome giants who held the fort for over four decades. The victory also assured a medal in this discipline.