Men spikers storm into SAF final beating Pakistan

Colombo, Aug 26 (UNI) Defending champion India is just one step away from retaining the 2004 Gold they had won in Islamabad after the men volleyball team spanked Pakistan in straight sets in the semifinals of the 10th SAF Games at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium here today.

Thanks to the 25-18, 25-16, 25-16 win, India will meet Sri Lanka in the final tomorrow after the hosts overcame an opening set deficit to tame Bangladesh 25-27, 25-21, 25-14, 25-13 in another semifinals.

With the dependable Siva Rajan initiating the offence and excelling in libero's position, India always had an upper hand against Pakistan in the semifinal match. Things were even more easier even though the power hitters were not in their elements.

Pakistan struggled with the spin serve and the floaters that landed in their court and their blocking too proved incapable of dealing with the bounce, dink or tandem unleashed by the Indian hitters.

UNI AY PM KP1430