Asian Games: Indian women's volleyball humilitated by Japan

Incheon, Sep 22 (IANS)

The Indian women's volleyball team lost 0-3 in a Group A preliminary round match of the 17th Asian Games at the Ansan Sangroksu Gymnasium here Monday.

The Indian team, which had lost to South Korea in its opening encounter Saturday, were completely outplayed by their Japanese counterparts and lost 6-25, 11-25, 12-25 in 56 minutes.

India, the ninth seeds, started the game poorly, collecting only six points in the first set while their opponent scored sped to 25 points in just 17 minutes.

India managed to improve only slightly in the next two sets but were still no match for a rampaging Japanese team.

Nirmala was the top scorer for India with nine points while Mari Horikawa of Japan emerged scored a match-high 10 points.

India's second highest scorer was S. Rekha, who managed to pluck four points as team skipper Antony Terin failed to get on the scoreboard.

Japan's Horikawa was supported brilliantly by Haruyo Himamura and Nao Muranga - each of whom scored nine points while Saori Takahashi and Nozomi Itoh contributed significantly to Japan's big win with eight and seven points, respectively.

With this loss, India's chances of getting a direct quarter-final berth appear to be bleak.

They have only a match to play and face fifth seeds Thailand on Wednesday.