Flame chalks up third consecutive win

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Surabaya Flame extended its winning streak to three after it defeated Jakarta Patriot 3-0 in Proliga here on Friday.

The Flame did not lose a single set either in its three games, including the previous two fixtures against Jakarta Phinisi and Tunas Bogor on the opening days of the competition in Gresik, East Java.

Although Mark Humphries, its imported player from Australia, was fielded briefly, the Flame was still too strong for Patriot, winning 25-21, 25-13, 25-22 at the Bung Karno Indoor Tennis Stadium in Central Jakarta.

Patriot coach Sulaeman Ahmad conceded that his team was totally outplayed by its opponents, saying that he had reserve players who were not fully prepared for such tight competition.

"Neither do we have a player who is able to attack from the baseline," he told a post-match press conference. Patriot remained winless after the competition's first three matches.

Despite the victory, Mashudi, his Flame counterpart, said he was not satisfied with the performance.

"They played below form actually. Luckily Patriot put in a worse performance," he said.

Humphries was not play during the whole game because of an ankle injury he sustained during the Gresik round.

However, during the press conference, the 22 year old from Perth insisted he was fine and felt disappointed that the coach had not played him out.

"It was bad before, but now I'm fine. I should have retained my place," he said.

In the women's matches, Patriot also suffered a loss, 20-25, 19-25, 18-25, against Gresik Phonska, and Jakarta Phinisi crushed Bogor Tunas 25-11, 25-22, 25-12.