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Monday, Apr 07, 2008
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Indonesia ‘A’ wins

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Indonesia ‘A’ held its nerve, its experience as reigning champion seeing it through some tight situations, to clinch the men’s title at the Asian beach volleyball championships here on Sunday.

In a nail-biting final, Andy Ardyansyah and Koko Prasetyo prevailed over China’s Tian Gaotang and Han Shen Wei 21-15, 19-21, 22-20 to take home the prize of $5000.

On the distaff side, defending champion Thailand ‘A’, comprising Kulna Kamoltip and Yupa Phukong Ploy subdued the China ‘A’ pair of Minaochenchen and Jilin Jun 21-19, 22-20 in a keenly fought yet straight contest.

Damp conditions

A steady drizzle had left the sand damp, taxing the players further and rendering their progress across the court tardy.

The Indonesians seemed quicker on the draw, reading the path of the ball better, showing finer anticipation and being at the right place at the right time. All too aware that they could not quite match the spiking by China’s beefy Tian Gaotang, whose spike on one occasion ricocheted off Koko out of the arena itself, the Indonesians preferred placement over power.

The results: Men: Final: Indonesia ‘A’ (Andy Ardyansyah & Koko Prasetyo) bt China ‘A’ (Tian Gaotang & Han Shen Wei) 21-15, 19-21, 22-20.

Semifinal: China ‘A’ bt Iran ‘A’ (Farokhi Parviz & Maztar Hoshmand) 22-20, 21-17.

Women: Final: Thailand ‘A’ (Kulna Kamoltip & Yupa Phukongploy) bt China ‘A’ (Minaochenchen & Jilin Jun) 21-19, 22-20.

Semifinals: Thailand ‘A’ bt New Zealand ‘A’ (Susan Blundell & Anna Scarlet) 21-17, 1-14; China ‘A’ bt Thailand ‘B’ (Jarunee Sannok & Usa Tenpaksee) 24-22, 21-14.

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