Sport

India, Australia in semifinals

— Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

RIVETTING ACTION: India’s P.S. Srikant (facing camera) smashes one past the Sri Lankans while Gurchand Singh looks on.

KOLKATA: India raised its game a notch or two to overpower Sri Lanka 3-0 in the second match of Group ‘A’ to make it to the semifinals of the second Commonwealth volleyball championship at the Netaji Indoor Stadium.

Joining the host was Australia from the same group winning against Bangladesh also by a 3-0 set margin.

The contest of the group will be on Thursday when India takes on Australia for the group championship. Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are out of the tournament.

In the lone Group ‘B’ clash, Pakistan surprised New Zealand 3-0 to take a firm step towards gaining a place in the last four stage.

India’s overall play showed a lot of improvement against the short-statured Lankans.

The Indians’ blocking and spiking were of top order while K.J. Kapil Dev’s setting was far better than what it was in the first match against Bangladesh.

The first set was a close affair with the Indians leading always and the Lankans not far behind. It was at 22-21 when India pulled away to take the set in 23 minutes.

The second and third sets were totally dominated by India. India’s blocking, spearheaded by Sube Singh, captain P.S. Srikanth and G. Pradeep, was so good that Sri Lanka’s attack was in complete disarray. India won the next two sets 25-14, 25-14.

“I am very happy with the team’s performance,” said coach G.E. Sridharan.

“Yet we need to improve on the service and defence especially against a good team like Australia in the next game.”

Bangladesh was no match for Australia. The power-packed smashes, tight blocking, and excellent reception marked Australia’s victory. Aussies were in total control and finished the match in little over an hour’s time. Carroll Paul was the hero of Australia’s victory. His spiking from backcourt brooked no response.

Captain Hardy Benjamin, Paul and Grant Andrew did the bulk of the attacking while Earl Andrew and Luke Campbell excelled in blocking. Overall it was a superb display by the Australians.

Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand did come as a surprise considering the team’s standing in the world. But on the day Pakistan’s superior play clinched the issue. The loss was certainly a setback for the Kiwis who will have to beat South Africa and Canada to have any chance of making it to the knockout stage.

On Tuesday, the two Group ‘B’ matches will see South Africa meeting New Zealand and Pakistan playing Canada. A win for South Africa and Pakistan will put the teams to the semifinals.

The results: Group ‘A’: Australia bt Bangladesh 25-16, 25-18, 25-22; India bt Sri Lanka 25-21, 25-14, 25-14.

Group ‘B’: Pakistan bt New Zealand 25-10, 25-14, 25-11.