Recap of opening matches in Pool ‘A’ of the 2nd Asian Games Women’s Beach Volleyball Tournament in Muscat, Oman
The second Asian Games Women’s Beach Volleyball Tournament started off on Thursday, 9th December, 2010 in Muscat, Oman. The event welcomed 20 women duos from various parts of Asia. Teams were initially divided into four pools:
Pool A- China1, Indonesia 1, Syria1, Maldives and Laos
Pool B- China2, Indonesia2, Vietnam, Syria2 and Tajikistan1
Pool C- TLS1, Tajikistan2, Japan1, Thailand1 and Chinese Taipei1
Pool D- TLS2, Chinese Taipei2, Japan2, Thailand2, and Kazakhstan
On the opening day of the tournament, two matches were played in each pool. In Pool A, China’s Xue Chen and Zhang Xi played their first match against Syria’s Rushaf and Alyasar. Chinese top-seeded pair proved to be better side and pulled off victory in straight
sets. Likewise, Indonesia’s Ayo/Yokbeth defeated Phonedany/Pany of Laos in the second match of Pool A.
Xue/Zhang (CHN) vs. Rushaf/Alyasar (SYR) 2-0 (21-16, 21-18)
The top-seeded Chinese pair opened the match with exceptional serves. Xue and Zhang had recently proved their mettle at the 16th Asian Games in China and they enjoyed a great form. They had great potential and fair chances to beat the Syrian team.
The powerful serves of Xue and convincing shots of Zhang earned them an early lead in the game. On the other hand, Syrian players poised their feet on the sand and returned the ball with firm hands. However, they lagged behind in score chase as China’s duo
was too good for them. Gradually, Xue and Zhang attained more power and posted 21-16 victory in first set.
The second set also came successful for China. The superb delivery of spikes and ground-breaking cut shots helped them take the control of operations. Rushaf attacked from different angles and defended her team’s position. In the meanwhile, Alyasar complimented
her partner perfectly and killed few of China’s speed bombs. They put up a good fight in the second set and raised their score to 18 but Chinese pair refused to acknowledge their better status. The excellent pairing of Xue and Zhang closed the second set at
25-18 declaring match victory.
Ayo/Yokbeth (INA) vs. Phonedany/Pany (LAO) 2-0 (21-9, 21-9)
The Indonesian pairing of Ayo and Yokbeth was unquestionably the dominating side in the match. Loas’ team was strongly tagged as underdogs in the tournament. The early phase of the game was dominated by Indonesian side. They produced powerful serves and
created a lot of trouble for Laos’ team with the help of explosive hits. Yokbeth had the advantage of height and better physique in the game. She found the perfect gaps in opponents’ half and rolled off the ball at targeted places. She contributed quick points
in Indonesia’s score. Phonedany of Laos resisted to Indonesia’s strike and threw her hands up in air to block the fast spikes but it didn’t help the situation. Indonesian side showed no mercy and attacked with full power. Laos’ score soared up at snail’s pace.
On contrary, Indonesian players scored consecutive points and swiftly moved to the finish line. They secured the first set with 12 points’ margin at 21-9.
Indonesia was in very good position after posting a devastating first-set victory over Loas’ team. The competitor side didn’t pose any threat on them. Indonesia once again was in command of the game. They played a natural game and worked out great progress.
The combination of unstoppable spikes and solid blocks led Indonesia to success. Laos’ team failed to penetrate the heavy strike of Indonesian duo. The score soared up quickly and Ayo/Yokbeth stretched the gap of points. The Indonesian pair certainly enjoyed
the game and launched their authority over the opponents. Second set ended with the same score of 21-9 and Indonesia bagged their first victory in the 2nd Asian Games Women’s Beach Volleyball Tournament.
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