Indians too strong for Lankan spikers

Chintana Wasala reporting from India

Volleyball: Sri Lankan spikers failed to make their way to the next round when they lost to India in their second game in the Commonwealth Volleyball Championship for men at the Nethaji Indoor Stadium yesterday. India won in straight sets 25-21, 25-14, 25-14 to cruise to the semi-finals along with the Aussies.

Earlier Sri Lanka not scheduled to any matches yesterday but as Nigeria did not show up in the tournament, the match schedule has to be revised. India was to meet Nigeria as they failed to turn up Lankans had the chance to play the yesterday.

At the start of the game Lankans looked more impressive than the previous day, making the game look more active. The first set was a head to head battle with both teams collecting points regularly and tied on many occasions.

But Indians were ahead most of the time. The visitors were always hanging on with the Indian total. The blocking looked much better than the earlier game and the serves too were better. From the latter part of the first set, the Lankans did not play the type of game they played at the start and lost the set at 25-21.

The next set looked like a repetition of the first one but from the half way mark the Indians came up with a stronger attack. The defense block was a bit similar to that of the Australians' we saw the previous day, and the Indians took the advantage of their slight difference in height maximum.

The wall set by the Indians overcame the powerful dashes sent by Sameera Dissanayake on several occasions. Most of the dashes fell back on Sri Lankan territory and the second set ended in favour of the homesters at 25-14.

The third set began with the Lankans finding it difficult gain confidence as the Indians wrecked most of their attempts to score their points. A clear gap was indicated from the start of this set and it resulted in with India winning the set at 25-14.

Pakistan Vs New Zealand

Pakistan took on the Kiwis to make their first appearance in this tourney and managed to gain success in their attempt. They swept to a easy straight sets victory 25-10, 25-14, 25-14.

Most of the spectators kept hopes of a tough battle between these two teams before the match, but the New Zealanders failed to make keep to their reputation here yesterday in every department.

Today South Africa meet New Zealand while in a another game Canada take on Pakistan.

Australia v Bangladesh

Australia made their way to the next round when they trounced Bangladesh 25-16, 25-18, 25-22. The Banglsdeshis were helpless in front of the tournament favourites.

The Bangladesh coach stated that there are lots of things they learnt from the last two matches and will try to do well in the next game. They will meet Sri Lanka today at 4.00 p.m.

Nigeria did not show up

Team Nigeria which was scheduled to play India in yesterday's last game did not turn up. "From the beginning the communicating with the Nigerian officials had been a problem" said Ramana Rao, the Tournament Director at a special media briefing.

The Nigerians had confirmed their presence on 29th with an e-mail saying that they will arrive on 30th but when checked with the Kenyan Air Lines, the fight they were supposed travel on, they were not boarded.

The tournament's match schedule was revised twice because of the delay of the Nigerian team and yet again it has been changed" said Rao.

According to the regulations of the Sports governing body, the team that fail to turn up for tournament can be fined 5000 US $ and also a two year suspension can be imposed" he added