India were down and, seemingly, out against China during the bronze medal playoff of the 15th Asian junior volleyball championship at Nakhonpathom, Thailand, on October 9. After winning the first two sets rather comfortably, China had the match in their grip. But the improbable did materalise as charged-up Indians mounted a stunning rally to upset the Chinese 21-25, 17-25, 27-25, 25-22 and 15-10. India rose to the occasion against one of the continental giants.
Apart from the bronze medal, the reward for India’s stellar show was a place in next year’s world championship at Brazil. Barring two straight-set losses at the hands of Iran, India performed creditably in the event. They had stretched eventual winners Japan to five sets in a second round match before clinching the decider in the quarterfinal thriller.
Setter J. Thennarasan, who is employed with Chennai Customs, said India were perilously close to defeat in the playoff. “My heart skipped a beat when the score reached 24-all in the third set. But we held our nerve to upset China. It was a special win,” he added.
India had their reputation on the line in the event after finishing fourth in the world junior championship held in Pune last year. Had they missed the podium in Thailand, critics would have pointed out that home advantage was the main reason for the Pune performance. Now, India have earned the right to have another crack at the world championship.
India’s assistant coach A. Venkatesan, an attacker par excellence for Tamil Nadu in his younger days, said teamwork made the difference throughout the tournament. “Everybody played his part. If one failed, another stepped up to the plate. Teamwork had been India’s theme at the event. I’m delighted that our hard work paid off in the end,” the TNEB officer added.
Venkatesan paid tributes to the team’s character. “The crushing loss at the hands of Iran in the semi-final left our players dispirited. We were totally off-colour that day. I was wondering whether the boys would be able to bounce back in the playoff. In the end they did India proud with their never-say-die attitude. It wasn’t easy to come back from two sets down against a team of China’s calibre,” he said.
The assistant coach said he was pleased most about India’s mental strength. “I believe India, Iran, China and Japan are in the same league. So psychological issues decide matches involving these teams. Our boys were always willing to fight until the last point. It is the kind of attitude that will stand them in good stead at senior level. I hope we will be able to carry our good work to the world championship next year,” he added.
Tamil Nadu have more reasons to celebrate the bronze because the state had sent half of the national side — Thennarasan, John Christopher, A. Vikram (all Chennai Customs), D. Selva Prabhu, R. Vaishnav (both IOB) and D. Soundar (Indian Bank) — to the Thailand trip. According to Venkatesan, all Tamil Nadu players gave a good account of themselves. “Everybody got playing time and no-one disappointed. Vaishnav was adjudged the best blocker of the tournament,” he said.