Indonesians chalk up first victories in Asiad

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea

Indonesia's men's beach volleyball pairings chalked up their first victories in their respective groups on Sunday morning, hours before South Korean President Kim Dae-jung officially opened the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

The Indonesia 2 team of Andy Ardiansyah and Supriadi opened their campaign by defeating the Bahrain 2 team of Sadeq Ebrahim Al Mohsen and Ali Abdulameer Ahmed Mubarak in straight sets at Busan's Haeundae Beach.

The two Group C teams played a tight first set, with neither team able to pull away. The Indonesians maintained a slim lead throughout but couldn't shake the determined Bahrainis, finally managing to close out the set 21-19.

In the second set, the Indonesians improved their play and lead most of the way, capitalizing on the increasing number of errors by the Bahraini duo, who seemed to be losing their concentration and strength.

A smash by Andy finished the set 21-16, giving the Indonesians a 2-0 victory. Other teams pitted in Group C are Kazakhstan 1, China 1 and Kuwait 1.

Playing on the same court later in the day, the Indonesia 1 team of Agus Salim and Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro had an easier time of it against the Kazakhstan 2 team of Sergey Sinkevich and Yevgeniy Mashebin in Group A.

The Indonesians sped out to a 14-7 lead, but the Kazakhs eventually tied the score before losing the set 21-14. Agus played a tactical game, with several soft shots instead of the expected smashes, leaving the Kazakhs rooted in their positions unable to anticipate Indonesia's ball placement.

As the second set got under way, however, the Kazakhs did a better job of anticipating the Indonesians' shots, and they began to take charge at the net.

The set was a more balanced affair, with the lead switching back and forth between the two teams. However, Indonesia soon took over and closed out the set and the match 21-15.

"The Kazakhs were surprised when we pressed them in the first set. Lucky for us that they could not overcome our pressure," Agus said after the match.

"But they were able to anticipate some of our tactics during the second set. That allowed them to take the lead for a while. Sometimes we were down, sometimes they were. It is normal.

"The most important thing is that we won today. We will do better next time," he said.

Agus and Koko have two matches on Monday. They will face Kuwait 2 at 9 a.m. and then take on Korea 1 at 2 p.m. The Indonesia 2 team will face China 1 on Monday at 11 a.m.

Indonesia's women's beach volleyball pairing of Ni Putu Timy Yudhani Rahayu and Siti Nurjanah will have their first match on Monday, against Thailand 1 at 2 p.m.

In other news, the draw for the billiards competition was nullified on Saturday afternoon, after it was found that India had mistakenly entered one of its athletes in the wrong event.

"Indian Geet Siriram Sethi, who is playing in the English billiard event, was placed in the nine-ball event. Sethi is a seven-time champion," said billiard team manager Andrie Ben.

"The chairman of the Indian Sports Council lobbied the Busan Asian Games Organizing Committee (BAGOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) asking for a redraw following the error," he said.

According to Andrie, although regulations prohibit a redraw the organizing committee decided to hold a new draw on Monday afternoon.

"We did not launch any protest because the organizing committee and OCA gave their consent. We will just follow their decision.

"Who knows that we will get an advantage from the redraw," Andrie said.

On Monday, Indonesian cyclist Tonton Suprapto and weightlifters Lisa Rumbewas and Rosmainar are being counted on to grab the first medals for the Indonesian contingent.

Tonton Suprapto, who is known for his prowess on uphill courses, will try his luck in the men's 50-kilometer individual time trial at the Gijang County Club.

"The race will be one of muscle and brain because of its steep up-and-down contour, in addition to the sharp turns.

"I have to take advantage of the uphill sections and maintain my pace through the steep bends," Tonton said at the athlete village in Banyeo-dong.

Tonton is known in Indonesia as the king of the mountains, and he usually takes full advantage of any up-hill course.

"I must keep my pace and shift the gears in time. One second late means my opponents can leave me dozens of meters behind," he said.

Indonesia's rowers will also be competing on Monday in their heats on the Nakdong River.