After training at the beach volleyball venue at Ina Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Sanur, for a month, the Indonesian squad is confident of making it to the final against favorites China at the Asian Beach Games here.
"It was very beneficial for us to practice at the venue for one month. The sand here (Grand Ina hotel) is quite different from the sand at Kuta, for example.We had the chance to learn the nature of the venue over other teams,"player Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
Koko said Sanur beach would pose a tough challenge to all players because of its slippery sand and unpredictable winds.
"To score players need to avoid slipping when they jump.
The wind is volatile. Sometimes it comes from the north or south, making it difficult to control the ball,"he said. "Meanwhile, Kuta, with its coarse sand and the wind only heading to the north, is easier." The team expects tough challenges from Thailand, Kazakhstan and Iran, Koko said, before reaching the final.
"We all know how strong the Chinese squad is. One of its players was China's No. 1 player in 2003. However, the three other teams will also make us struggle," Koko said, who believes Indonesia is Southeast Asia's strongest team.
"Middle Eastern countries like Kazakhstan and Iran have good teams. Kazakhstan is featuring former Russian pairs, who will give it their best shot to beat us. Our last meetings with them (Kazakhstan) were in Iran and Thailand in 2006. We won in Iran but lost in Thailand. So the score is tied 1-1."
Although Thailand has never beaten an Indonesian team, they have proven that they are good at defense, Koko said. "They don't quit easily.They fight very well."
Indonesia will field two teams in both the men's and women's competitions.
Koko is paired with Andy Ardiyansyah as the first team, while Suratna and Dian Putra Santoso form the second. In the women's event, Ayu Cahyaning Siam partners Yokbeth Manisala Kapasiang and Ni Putu Timy Yudhani Rahayu teams up with Devota Saveriana Rahawarin.
China refused to play down Indonesia's confidence, but was equally upbeat about winning gold medals.
"Our women's team, Hu Anna and Li Yang, has been preparing for six years for the beach event. They have been training and competing at international events. Our men's team only took a year to get ready for the Games,"player Xu Qiang said.
"Of course,we are set to fight."
