Indonesian spikers win first stage

Bernard Perera in Bangkok

Indonesia the holders of the Asian Beach Volleyball championship maintained their supremacy yesterday winning the first stage of the Asian Beach Volleyball Tour beating China in straight sets at the Supar Beach Hotel Complex. Indonesia team was represented by S. Devota and C. Ayu.

In the women’s category it was the host country Thailand team II beat China in the final to go away with the first stage win. The Thai team comprising of Jarunee Sannok and Usa Tenpaksee are the holders of the Asian Gold medal at the last Asian Beach Games.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka failed to take a step forward when they confronted China for the sixth place decider. China took an early lead in the first set and moved swiftly and going in to the half way mark they held on to a solid three point lead which the Lankans failed to reduce at any stage of the set.

Chinese pair kept on increasing their tally with good defenses. Power packed spiking by the Chinese duo was at its best where the Lankans could not halt them. This resulted in the first ending at 21-11 in favour of the Chinese.

The second set began with Chinese on a high note but things changed with the Lankan pair Wasantha Ratnapala and Mahesh Perera gainging the first point to give some sort of scare.

Chinese sensing the danger got their act together once again and got past the Lankan score using their experience to the maximum. The Lankans did not fail to fight back at this stage and reduced the lead to a single point.

Once again the Chinese made a strong come back to stretch their lead. There onwards it was China all the way until the end of the second set to finish at 21-13. Lankan Players were awarded 400 dollars for their eighth position.

Today the teams will travel to Pathalung for the second stage of the 9th Asian Beach Volleyball Tour which is scheduled to commence on April 9, on the beach of Pathalung Province. Nakhom SI Thamarat, Thailand.