Sri Lanka faced Japan in another ranking match played today at the Sugathadasa Indoor stadium, Colombo in the Asian Youth Volleyball Championship 2014.
The Sri Lankan team were under constant pressure from the start as the Japanese youngsters looked very strong and well rounded. The team led by Kumara Bandara lost the first set 25 -10 from which they found it very difficult to get out of and pose the slightest of pressure on the team from Japan. The set which lasted just 19 minutes was constantly dominated by the team in red and white who jumped and jolted throwing themselves around while delivering strong undependable spikes at regular intervals.
The Sri Lankan team got off to a good start in the second set which gave a tad of hope for the supporters who were behind the team throughout. However the Lions couldn’t keep up their good work evidently a lack of temperament which has been apparant throughout the tournament where the Lankan team has been unable to convert an advantage they possess to a victory. The second set was lost at the end of the 23 minutes 25 – 14.
The stadium was brought to hush apart from the occasional cheers when the home team scored. The 60 odd spectators would have expected a little more from the local favorites but the bitterness continued as Japan crushed the home team in the final set too 25 – 13 points. OHMI Yoshiki was key in the Japanese team who took the challenge to the Sri Lankan team scoring and proving dangerous and difficult to deal with.
The match which lasted an hour in the end was comfortably won by the Japanese team with Bandara’s team ended up having too much to chew. Thammitage Madushanka was the most effective for the locals but he couldn’t do much against the Japanese who were tall and strong which gave them the edge which has been to the home sides detriment through the tournament.
Sri Lanka is to face off against India tomorrow in a semi – final stage match to commence at 2 in the afternoon. The public is urged to come support the Sri Lankan team as they take on India at the National Sport of the country.
