India left with mountain to climb

CHENNAI: Miracles don’t occur often. The Indians are expecting one on Sunday when they take on the mighty South Korea in the last match. Their 0-3 loss to Australia in the World Volleyball Championship qualifier has jeopardised their chances of making it to the final summit in Japan. There is hope for them if they can beat the Koreans with a huge difference which on paper looks a remote possibility.
India’s perennial problem continued at the Jawaharlal Nehru indoor stadium here on Saturday.If the first phase thoroughly exposed the hosts chinks in defence, attack and serve, the final round was no different. In a must-win situation against Australia, India came a cropper in all departments of the game, the performance being terribly disappointing. They lost 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 with Australia qualifying for the summit clash in Japan next year.