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.