M’sia Lose Out In Women’s Beach Volleyball Semi-final

PALEMBANG: Malaysia lost out in the women's beach volleyball semi-final in the 26th SEA Games when Beh Shun Ting and Luk Teck Hua were beaten by Thailand's Kamoltip Kulna and Varapatsorn Radarong, 14-21, 13-21.

The national second doubles will meet Thai first doubles Usa Tenpaksee and Jarunee Sannok in the decider for the bronze medal at the Jakabaring Sports Complex on Saturday.

National coach Lim Poh Hong said the duo might have been too tired to give a formidable challenge after they were overstretched by Indonesia in the quarter-final in the morning.

"They were in disarray as if they hit a jinx. Nothing went right for them. They hardly attacked and spiked," he added.

Lim hoped the duo would concentrate in their encounter for the bronze. - Bernama

Beach Spikers Get Comfy With The Wind And Heat

PALEMBANG: The Malaysian beach volleyball team are getting comfortable with the strong winds and scorching heat here and are in good shape for a medal.

Team manager and women’s coach Lim Poh Hong said the wind had been incredibly strong last week and they also had to deal with the rain the past few days.

“But it was worse last month during the SEA Games test event and it really affected our game, with the ball being blown off course,” said Poh Hong.

“But the players have adjusted to it and are shaping up nicely.”

In the men’s event, both Malaysian pairs – Kiew Chiong Ung-Rafi Asruki and Khoo Chong Long-Mohd Fitri Salim - got off to a flying start after dispatching their opponents easily in the qualifying rounds yesterday.

Chiong Ung-Rafi beat Cambodia’s Sim Khlork-Taing Mengheak 21-16, 21-19 while Chong Long-Fitri defeated Filipinos Arnel Amadeo-Henry James Peca 21-13, 21-12.

Malaysia’s best bet for gold, top women’s pair Beh Shun Thing-Luk Teck Hua also cruised to an easy 21-17, 21-10 win over another Filipino pair Aiza Maizo-Gonzaga Jovelyn.

However, Luk Teng Kee-M. Iswari fell 12-21, 16-21 to Vietnam’s No.2 pair of Nguyen Thi Tiep-Nguyen Thi Mai.

“The boys had it easy probably because their opponents weren’t that good.

“But Teng Kee-Iswari were disappointing as they were simply struggling,” said Poh Hong.