Indonesian women's beach sepak takraw team strolled into the final at the Asian Beach Games after edging out Vietnam in straight sets 21-9, 21-13.

"It was quite surprising that the women's team advanced into tomorrow's (Tuesday) final. Hopefully, they can spring another surprise, a good one," coach Asry Syam after the semifinal match at the Grand Inna Hotel on Monday.

Indonesia will take on favorite Thailand in the gold medal match Tuesday.

Although acknowledging his team's underdog status, Asry said he was aiming for gold.

Team captain Nur Qadriyanti said her team would take the Thais to the limit during the final encounter.

"We certainly want to make the nation proud by achieving our best," she said. "Thailand, however, is a strong team. In order to upset them we may bombard them with rapid smashes, among other things."

Playing the host team in the final, Thailand's coach Sompong Sangkhasuram opted to maintain a low profile, saying the Indonesian team was difficult to beat due to its fighting spirit.

"The player wearing jersey No. 1 fired fast and sharp smashes that we have to be careful about. One thing is for sure, we will perform our best,"he added.

Thailand displayed its superior form in routing South Korea 21-4, 21-12. In the men's event, Indonesia lost to Myanmar in a rubber game 13-21, 21-16, 12-15, dashing the host team's hopes of making a dream final against Thailand.

"Our men's team has done their best, but it seemed that we were not as ready as Myanmar, which is fielding its top players," Asry said. "But at least we still have an opportunity to win a gold in the group category," he said. The group competition starts Thursday.

Head of the Indonesian contingent Djoko Pramono said he did not take the defeat seriously, sayingor losing is usual in a competition". - JP/Niken Prathivi

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