Former coach worries about new beach volleyball pairing

JAKARTA (JP): A former national coach warned the Indonesian Volleyball Association on Tuesday the new beach volleyball pairing of Agus Salim and Iwan Sumoyo might not work well together because they share the same playing style.

Dennis Taroreh, who trained the national beach volleyball team for the Asian Games last December, said both men were blockers and lacked defensive instincts.

"In beach volleyball, 80 percent of the game is defending. Each team must have both a good blocker and defender. I'm afraid it's difficult for Agus and Iwan to team up," said Dennis, who is also a former national indoor volleyball team captain.

The association's deputy chief of athletes development affairs, Suharsono, said earlier the decision to team the two Asian Games medalists was made because of their height advantage.

Agus partnered Irilkhun Shofanna at the Games to win the silver, while Iwan and old teammate Anjas Asmara took the bronze.

The new team of Agus and Iwan is expected to qualify for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

To qualify for the Olympics, a team must have to win a berth in the main draw in at least eight of 13 legs of the world series circuit. The circuit will start in Russia in June. Only the world's top 24 teams will compete in Sydney.

Dennis said the pairing also faced a communication problem.

"As their former coach, I find Iwan is a bit difficult to mingle with his teammates. It takes him a longer time than other athletes to do that," he said.

Dennis was optimistic, however, that with four months to go before their first international outing at the Asian Beach Volleyball Championships in Pattaya and Thrang, Thailand, the pair could form a solid partnership.

"They just need to improve their defense and psychological counsel to solve their communication problems," he said.

Along with the duo, Indonesia is grooming Irilkhun and new recruit I Made Sumaryatna as the country's second team. They will also be sent to the Asian Championships, but not to Olympic qualifying tournaments. (yan)