Sport
-
Volleyball
TN has a tough outing
By M.C. Raman
PAYYANUR, FEB. 3 National runner-up Tamil Nadu had a tough time against Services and just about managed to clinch its inaugural Group B tie in the 24th Federation Cup volleyball tournament at the Government Boys School ground here with a 17-25, 25-19, 25- 27, 25-22, 15-10 scoreline here on Sunday.
It was the third confrontation between the two sides in just one month, fighting for supremacy twice in the National championship at Raipur. The Army side went down on both occasions, once in a five setter.
Here too the Armymen rattled Tamil Nadu from the beginning. Services, in fact, got off to a smooth start maintaining a four-point lead. One of the reasons for the Army squad's excellent show these days is its sharp defence. At the net and in the backcourt Services did much better than Tamil Nadu.
In attack Shijas Mohammed had the rival on the mat continuing on his good form from Raipur. He brought back the Army team with his well angled shots. With the Tamil Nadu net defence being too weak he was rarely stopped. His phenomenal jump combined with his power gives him a clear edge and he was undoubtedly the best spiker in the match.
For Tamil Nadu Rajesh was not effective and Manoharan too was weak. But Manoharan was its best spiker with his short ball attack enabling the team to came back and take the second and fourth sets. But Tamil Nadu was unable to coordinate well, allowing too many loose ends. Harun Khan was not utilised fully while Nadrajan was patchy.
In the second set with Sayeekrishnan attacking well and some steady blocks Tamil Nadu took a six point lead and wrested the set. It fumbled again in the third having taken a three point lead and squandered a match point situation. Services clinched the set over extra points. Though the Armymen threatened in the fourth Tamil Nadu combined well to clinch the set after leading 5-1. In the decider too Tamil Nadu kept its cools and took a 7-4 lead to surge ahead.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Sport
|
