Indonesian spikers win one, lose one

Indonesian spikers win one, lose one

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia had to settle for a solitary gold
yesterday in indoor volleyball thanks to its men's team, as
Thailand proved too skilled for the host women.

The Indonesian men did not relent in their attacking game and
defeated Thailand, gold medalist in the 18th Games in Chiang Mai,
Thailand, 3-1 in two hours.

In the first set, Thai spikers played rapidly and left
Indonesia trailing 3-8, but a determined fightback by the host
team helped them win 15-13.

Indonesian Chinese coach Qiu Jiang Li played his best players,
including first choices of Syamsul Jais, Imam Agus Faisal, Robbi
Meliala and Loudryans A. Maspaitella.

Thai spikers, led by frontliners R. Kiattipong, Suntorn Ph and
Aphisak R., performed more consistently in the second game to win
15-10.

Learning from their temporary lapse in concentration, the
Indonesian trio of Robbi, Risco Herlambang and Andri Widiatmoko
poured on the heat to wear out their opponent's challenge in the
third game, 15-7.

With shouts of thousands of supporters cheering them on, the
Indonesians never looked back by taking the fourth game by the
same score.

It was a redemption of sorts for the Indonesian men's spikers,
who entered the 18th SEA Games in Chiang Mai two years ago as the
four-time champions, but left for home empty-handed.

With teary eyes, the players hugged each other after the
victory yesterday, as chairperson of the Indonesian Volleyball
Association, Mrs. Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, went on to the court
to personally congratulate the team.

"We're very grateful for winning the gold and the people's
support," Loudry said.

Myanmar won the bronze.

In the women's final, defending champion Thailand outclassed
the Indonesians in a one-sided match.

The host team could only manage eight points over three sets
as they went down 4-15, 3-15, 1-15.

Thai captain Prim Intawong said the team was in top form as it
prepared intensively for next year's Asian Games in Bangkok.

"It was only to be expected that we would win, because the
Indonesian team has concentrated on the SEA Games," the 12-year
team veteran said.

The Thai women combined their strong defense and searing
smashes to outplay the home favorites, who kept veteran Fortina
Maulina on the bench. Indonesia's best female tosser received a
last minute cap in the national squad after recovering from
typhoid.

Indonesian training director Soetardiono said the defeat had
been expected.

"We estimated earlier that Indonesian women would only get
silver in indoor volleyball," Soetardiono told The Jakarta Post.

Indonesia last took the women's volleyball laurel in the Games
in 1991.

Vietnam won the bronze in the five-team women's competition.