RI volleyball teams cruise into second round
Pariama Hutasoit and Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Seminyak, Bali
Indonesia A team's Agus Salim and Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro won an easy 2-0 victory over Australia B's Brett Richardson and Alistar Lyne on the first day of the Asia-Pacific Beach Volleyball Competition at Petitenget beach in Seminyak, Kuta, on Friday.
Despite the strong wind and extreme heat on the beach in the opulent Seminyak business and resort center of Kuta, some 10 kilometers west of the capital of Denpasar, Indonesia's senior beach volleyball player Agus Salim led the game by making accurate blocks to force the Australian team to give their best.
Agus and his junior Koko ended the first game with a score of 21-17.
The combination of senior and junior players was promising, with Agus sharing his maturity and experience and Koko showing strength and agility.
But the Australian team also showed their best. Richardson's perfect serves and spikes were often unpredictable.
Koko frequently made some faults and inaccuracies in placing his blocks.
During the second game, the host team also led 21-16.
An official from the Indonesian Volleyball Association (PBVSI) said he expected Agus and Koko would maintain their consistency over the next two days.
"The secret of a beach volleyball game is physical endurance, defense and strategy. Agus and Koko possess strong teamwork," he said.
Agus and Koko previously won against Hong Kong's Cheung Hoi Ying/Cheng Wai Ho, 2:1.
Other team members Supriadi/Andy Ardiansyah won 2:1 against Korea's Choi Bu Sik/Park Sang Heun.
The Asian Beach Volleyball Competition, which opened on Friday morning, is presenting 10 participating countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, China, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Rita Subowo, the PBVSI chairwoman, said at a media conference that the Indonesian teams would meet strong teams like New Zealand, China and Thailand.
Cahya Azis, the coordinator for the Indonesian Asian Games Training Center, said the results of the first day were quite encouraging.
"These matches could be our indicators to move ahead," Azis said.
In women's matches, Indonesia A team's Ni Putu Timy Yudhani and Sitti Nurjanah beat South Korean team's Chang Yoon Hee and Ji Kyung Hee, 2:1 (21-19, 18-21, 15-9).
Meanwhile, Indonesia B team's Riesma Siswardini and Emerita Arisanti also won easily against Australian team's Olivia Orchard and Megan Avery, 2:1. Unfortunately, the strong Chinese team defeated the B team.
Azis said the Indonesian women's teams will have to give their best when they meet China, Thailand and Japan on Saturday, while in the men's categories, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and China are seeded as the strong teams.