New Delhi: India took one step closer to finishing in the top three of ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 when they beat Iran in a match that once again had the crowd at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here on the edge of their seats.
The first regu of Akash Singh, Sandeep Kumar and G. Jiteshor Sharma defeated the Iranians 9-15, 15-11, 17-16, 15-10 to book a semi-final spot against second seeds Malaysia, who defeated Singapore 3-0 to claim their place in the last four.
Despite losing the first set, India showed they meant business when they led from the start of the second set to win. A series of errors in the third set saw the Iranians take an 11-5 lead, until Akash and his ever-present arsenal of spikes levelled the score at 12-12. Both teams traded points until the explosive striker settled the set with a spike to give the Indians a narrow 17-16 win. It was all over for Iran in the fourth as India, cheered on by a very vocal crowd, lead from 2-2 right up to the end.
“It was an outstanding win for us as Iran played very well,” said coach Hemraj. “The team played with full confidence and we knew from the start that we would be playing in the semi-final.”
In the women’s competition, India suffered their fourth consecutive loss of the tournament, this time falling 14-16, 12-15, 13-15, 13-15, 13-15 to Japan in the playoff to determine 5th/7th placing.
The women’s trio of Kh. Omita Devi, Chaouba Devi and Bijata Chamu did well to win the first two sets, but Japan battled their way back in the third after falling behind. They then wrapped things up despite India’s best efforts in the last two sets to claim their first ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/13 win.
India lost 3-0 to Indonesia, 3-0 to Vietnam and 3-0 to South Korea in their Group A matches. They will once again meet South Korea in their last match of the tournament.
ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14, which ends September 1, kicks-off this year’s ISTAF SuperSeries 2013/14 season. The New Delhi tournament is followed by ISTAF SuperSeries THAILAND 2013/14 in Bangkok from September 26-29 followed by ISTAF SuperSeries MALAYSIA 2013/14 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from October 31 to November 3.
Held for the first time in India and the first time outside Southeast Asia, ISTAF SuperSeries is created by Asia Sports Ventures (ASV) and supported by local organisers Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI).
Results:
Men’s quarter-final:
Malaysia bt Singapore 3-0 (15-6, 15-7, 15-4)
India bt Iran 3-1 (9-15, 15-11, 17-16, 15-10)
Women’s semi-final
Indonesia bt Malaysia 3-0 (15-11, 15-9, 15-7)
Thailand bt Vietnam 3-0 (15-7, 15-5, 15-4)
Women’s 5/7th placing
Japan bt India 14-16, 12-15, 13-15, 13-15, 13-15
