The Hindu : Sport / Volleyball : India registers series victory

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Monday, Aug 13, 2007
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Sport - Volleyball

India registers series victory

Sports Reporter

Shelton, Sanjay and Pradeep combine well

— Photo: K. Ananthan

BRUTAL STRIKE: India’s P.S. Srikant sends the ball past Pakistan’s Naseer Ahmed (right) and Mohib Rasool in the fourth Test on Sunday.

Coimbatore: Host India kept its cool when it mattered most to pull off a thrilling 25-20, 29-31, 23-25, 25-21, 15-13 win over Pakistan in the fourth Test at the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya indoor Stadium courts here on Sunday.

The win also saw the host seal the five-match series 3-1.

It was a fight that demands a rematch simply because it was that extraordinary.

India took the first set rather easily 25-20 thanks to Guruchand Singh’s effective all-court play. The gutsy Guruchand had the packed audience roaring for more.

In the second, Pakistan decided to beat the Indian challenge. And, it did that quite effectively.

It took the lead for the first time in the match.

Though the Indians kept a close distance throughout, Pakistan kept up the pressure to square scores at 31-29.

Poor reception

The Indians were to be blamed largely for the second set loss.

They gave enough room for the Pakistan attackers to puncture their defence. Poor reception and block added to the confusion.

Having tasted the bitter wine of defeat at Chennai, Pakistan made further inroads in the Indian defence to wrap up the third 25-23.

At this juncture, G.E. Sridharan, the chief coach of the Indian team, brought in Shelton Moses.

And, he turned the tables in favour of the home team. Moses was simply outstanding. So was Sanjay Kumar, the Indian captain.

Pakistan tried hard through Sanuallah and Naseer Ahmed, but the recovery came a little too late. “We lost out on the second and third mainly due to our poor reception and blocking. And, that’s one reason I brought in Moses. He was our hero today,” said Sridharan.

The coach also singled out Pradeep for his outstanding effort.

“If it was not for the two, we would have probably taken the series to be decided in Hyderabad. I am happy that my boys sealed the series for me in my hometown,” he added.

He said the team will start concentrating on the Asian championship to be held at Jakarta.

Stefan Dimitrov, the Pakistan coach, was thoroughly disappointed.

“They did well but they lost concentration towards the end. They started thinking of specific things, and that cost us the match.”

The result: India bt Pakistan 25-20, 29-31, 23-25, 25-21, 15-13