By Les Tan/Red Sports
Singapore’s Melvin Goh spikes against Sri Lanka. He found himself the target of his opponents serve throughout the game. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 – Singapore’s duo of Melvin Goh and Qing Shan went down 0-2 (17-21, 14-21) to Sri Lanka in their opening game of the boys’ Asian Youth Games Beach Volleyball competition.
“The boys can do better,” said coach Teo Chiek Shan. “The Sri Lankan team was fast and so our boys have to work harder on footwork.”
Coach Chiek Shan drew some positives from the performance, though.
“Almost all the cut shots were in,” he said.
Indeed, when not overwhelmed by the opening match jitters, Qing Shan and Melvin combined well to smash home some well-deserved points.
The Sri Lankans however, were targeting Melvin with their serves and gained points from unforced errors.
Melvin and Qing Shan had an early 4-3 lead in the first set but the rest of the match was spent playing catch up with Sri Lankans Sadun Madusunka (#2) and Aeish Jeewanthi (#1).
Our boys found themselves starting at a 5-9 deficit and and though they narrowed it to three points at 9-12, it was the closest they would get before falling 17-21.
Melvin and Qing Shan did better in the second set, leading for the early part at 8-6 and then 11-10. But again unforced errors saw them yield the lead and trail 13-15. The Sri Lankans then ran away with the set 21-14.
Acknowledging that they were better than their performance, Qing Shan said, “It’s our problem, not that they are strong.”
The duo will take on Japan in their second match at 3pm today.
Qing Shan, seen here setting for his partner, acknowledged they could have done better. “It’s our problem, not that they are strong,” he said. (Photo 2 © Les Tan/Red Sports)
I am so glad I could make it back To Singapore to support our young beach volleyball athletes! All the best! ??!!!
more pictures please