Indonesian spikers in easy win

VOLLEYBALL: The Sri Lanka team which is competing in the 13th Asian Junior Women's Volleyball Champinship lost their fourth game yesterday to Indonesia in straight sets (3-0) at the MCC courts in Nokhon Ratchasima.

Indonesians came into the game with full confidence after their success against strong Indians the previous day started off well collecting five points to go into an early lead. This lead shattered the morale of the Sri Lankans.

However the Lankans managed to pick up two points to reduce the lead and to make a comback. But the Indonesians increased their total by three more points to strengthen their grip on the set. They kept on moving steadily to gain points to register a very comfortable first set victory at 25-10.

In the second set too Indonesians formed a very strong foundation by maintaining a high scoring rate to be right on top with 12-1 points.

Lankans reduced it by two points but could not proceed further as their opponents found things very easy when the Lankan attack was losing strength.

Lankans tried their best at this stage of the game to halt Indonesia scoring but their efforts were fruitless. Indonesians continued to dominate in this set too and clinched it at 25-8.

Lankans fought the third set a little bit better to collect 12 points. Here too it was Indonesians who had full control right throughout the set. Indonesia never gave an opportunity to Lankans to collect points as they wanted.

Their defence was so strong that every attempt made by Sri Lankans was halted. The Lankans on the other hand were helpless in their attempts to thwart the attacks of the opponents. The set went in favour of Indonesia at 25-12.

At present Sri Lanka has to fight to maintain their eleventh position. Their chances of making it to this slot depends on their performance in the next game that is scheduled for tomorrow night.

New Zealand created one of the biggest upsets when they outplayed their neighbours Australia three sets to one.

This defeat Australia never expected in this tournament. Australia were on top of the Kiwis before their downfall at the hands of the Kiwi Women. New Zealanders who managed to reach top eight with the unexpected win over Sri Lanka in the second game of the tourney have improved game by game.

The host country Thailand who made great strides to be in contention to reach the semis failed to maintain their unbeaten record when they lost to Japan in straight sets.This game lasted only 55 minutes which is the shortest so far in this tourney. The set scores were 25-18, 25-15 and 25-14 (3-0).

The Koreans comletely outplayed Vietnam which also ended in a three setter. This game too did not go beyond the one hour mark as the Koreans had it so easy. The scores at completion of the three sets were 25-12, 25-9 and 25-21 (3-0).