Story by Chin Chi Hua/Red Sports

Singapore vs Indonesia AYG Beach Vball

Yi Ting and Dorita Peng (right) face an attack from Indonesia. They struggled to find an attacking rhythm against their faster opponents. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Thursday, July 2, 2009 – Singapore went down meekly to Indonesia this afternoon in the Asian Youth Games (AYG) Beach Volleyball competition.

Dorita Peng and Tan Yi Ting lost 0-2 to the Indonesian duo of Elvina Dhanis and Yuliana Dhita.

Elvina and Yuliana pulled away to an early lead in the first set which they never relinquished and our girls appeared increasingly uptight and nervous.

Indonesia took the first set 21-11 with ease as Dorita and Yi Ting failed to find an attacking rhythm.

A comeback didn’t seem on the cards in the second set either as our girls soon fell behind 1-6, leading to a timeout call.

While they got a few points through some good plays, our girls struggled to put together a streak to put the Indonesians under pressure.

Errors allowed the Indonesians to get away and wrap up the second set 21-11.

“The girls lacked experience and exposure, but they have done their best in the game,” said team coach Teo Chiek Shan. “The Indonesian team had better ball control and was generally the better team.”

“I did not have many chances to attack as the Indonesian team focused on serving to Dorita instead,” said Yi Ting after the game. “Although both teams were on par in terms of their height, our opponents were quicker and more agile.”

The Singapore boys beach volleyball team will continue their fight tomorrow, Friday, July 3, against Oman, in the quarter-finals. The match is at 10am.

Singapore vs Indonesia AYG Beach Vball

Dorita gets high to tip it over the net. A niggling right knee injury hampered her game. (Photo 2 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Singapore vs Indonesia AYG Beach Vball

Yi Ting attempts a block. “Although both teams were on par in terms of their height, our opponents were quicker and more agile,” she said. (Photo 3 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Singapore vs Indonesia AYG Beach Vball

The girls called a timeout to speak to Coach Teo Chiek Shan. He said, “The Indonesian team had better ball control and was generally the better team.” (Photo 5 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Singapore vs Indonesia AYG Beach Vball

Yi Ting congratulates her opponents on their win. (Photo 5 © Les Tan/Red Sports)