Sri Lankans shine in Beach Volleyball

Sri Lanka’s renowned Beach Volleyball teams continued in their winning streak when the two teams registered impressive victories over their opponents at Al Musannah beach in the 2nd Asian Beach Games.

By T.B. Rahaman in Oman



The first game was between Sri Lanka A team and Palestine and the Lankan pair of Wasantha Rathnapala and Mahesh Perera played with good understanding and cohesion to beat the threatening Palestine in straight sets, 21/13, 21/15.

Palestine who had beaten the fancied Oman team in their first match in a surprise win was a cause of concern in the Sri Lanka camp. This is because Oman had beaten Sri Lanka in a match in the Asian Games, but this would have been the main reason for Sri Lanka to take stock of their position and be prepared to improve on their performance.

Sri Lankan duo played well and placed their smashes to perfect spots that had the taller Palestinians bemused. They had no answers as the Lankan pair of Rathnapala and Perera continued to dominate in the afternoon sunshine.

The Sri Lanka A team has to play against Oman in their final match and a win will take them to the top spot in group G. This will see Sri Lanka move to the top 16 teams that will play in the quarter-finals.

The Sri Lanka B team comprising of Asanka Pradeep and Naveen Sampath used their height to good effect and clever placements to defeat the Maldives in straight sets 21/7, 21/18.

 The Maldives were overwhelmed in the first set as they looked helplessly for options to counter the marauding Lankan pair. It was so clean that they did not have to worry about any challenge in the first set.

However, the Maldives came back with a counter plan in the second set and scored their points through some techniques that were very similar to the Lankan pair. The Maldivian pair managed to carry the scores along with the Lankans. They often caught up with the Lankan score through some good placements but could not finish off.

The Lankan pair of Pradeep and Sampath tightened up on their game and finished off in style on 21/18.

The Sri Lanka B team also has to play one more match against Japan and if they win they   can lead in group H and be among the top 16 teams that will go to play in the quarters.