Both Indian pairs suffer losses

Today8217;s results draw the Indians into play-offs involving Australia and Japan in the double elimination8217; format. The winners will earn the right to meet Kiwis and Thais in the last four stage.

The Indian women8217;s pair of Sujatha Santhanam and Rukshana Fathima bid adieu to the tournament. They finished Group B with an all-loss record after losing to Japan 2-15 and to Australia 4-15. The pair from Tamil Nadu had lost their opener 2-15 to Japan yesterday.

For A pair playing their first international tournament, Tokuna Ryoko and Kushuhara Chiaki have plenty tocelebrate. The Japanese pair made the women8217;s semi-finals with a clean sweep from Group B.

Both are University students and Kushuhara, for one, seems to be an attentive young lady. She took to beach volleyball just a month ago. Tokuna, though, has been around for four years and her wealth of experience counted in no small measure in a difficult match against Thailand B. The Japanese won a gruelling match that went into 40 minutes while beating a combative Thailand B 15-9.

The Thai girls, Rattnaporn Ariaisuk and Wiaiwan Ketmanee, follow the Japanese into the semi-finals at second position in the four-team group. The Thai pair pulled off something of a sensation earlier in the day, blanking the Australian pair of Justine Speed and Alison Biggle 15-0. The Aussies8217; collapse was inexplicable, even allowing for the noted prowess of the Thais in this version of the sport.

New Zealand8217;s top pair of Nikki Fake and Angela Stanjovic topped Group A with a 15-11 win over Thailand A8217;s Manatsanan Pangka and KamoltipKulna. The result put the Kiwis at top of the group with the Thais taking the second spot. It also sets the Kiwis against Thailand B and Japan against Thailand A in the semi-finals.

Competitive matches at the event have been few and far between. One such contest, however, went the distance. Thailand8217;s Surachai Namboot and Sudajai Naktamna took all of 40 minutes to overcome the game Koreans Ki Hoi Kim and Biung Taik Moon 15-11. But the Thais met their match in Aussies Pat Guilline, a computer engineer by profession and John Cuff, a wine store owner.

The two tall spikers from Down Under 8212; beaten by Indians Rajkumar and Mohsin yesterday 8212; struck form today while winning 15-8.

RESULTS

MEN: Surachai Namboot/ Sudajai Naktamna Thai bt Ki Hoi Kim/ Biung Taik Moon Korea 15-11; Pat Gulline/ John Cuff Aus bt Surachai Namboot/ Sudajai Naktamna Thai 15-8; Atumi Yoshihiro/ Mochizuki Tuyoshi Jap bt Mohd Al Shaikh/ Muneer al Tooblani Bahrain 15-8

WOMEN: Tokuna Ryoko/ KusuharaChaiki Japan bt Sujatha Santhanam/ Rukhsana Fathima Ind 15-1; Rattnapoorn Arlaisuk/ Wilaiwan Ketmanee Thai bt Justine Speed/ Alison Biggle Aus 15-0; Diong Mee Lee/ Ong Sieb Meei Mal bt Sung Wai Wan / Siu Wan Kam HKG 15-1; Tokuna Ryoko/ Kushara Chiali bt Rattnaporn Arlaisuk/ Williawan Ketmanee Thai 15-9; Justine Speed/ Alison Biggle Aus bt Sujatha Santhanam/ Rukhsana Fathima Ind 15-4