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| Sunday, 22 June 2003 |
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Sri Lanka fail to impress by LAL GUNESEKERA With Bangladesh returning to Dhaka yesterday (Saturday) and forfeiting their matches against Brunei which was scheduled for yesterday and also against Sri Lanka down for decision today, Sri Lanka, plays now for either the fifth or sixth places in the Davis Cup (Asia/Oceania Zone Group IV) tournament at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Greenpath. This is being sponsored by Aggreko International, Media sponsors Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL), Trans Asia Hotel and Wilson (the official ball suppliers). Sri Lanka who were seeded No. 1 fared badly, losing to Vietnam 1-2 and Saudi Arabia 0-2 before defeating only Brunei 3-0, and entered the "losers round" together with Singapore, Bangladesh and Brunei. The four countries and fighting it out for promotion (two places) in Group III next year (2004) are Saudi Arabia, Oman, Vietam and Myanmar. The two matches-final stage matches in Group 'A' yesterday between Saudi Arabia and Myanmar and Vietnam vs Oman were being worked out on the hard courts and the first singles matches (continuously interrupted by rain) and the second singles were to be played late into the night. Sri Lanka were to play Singapore in the "losers round", but is now scheduled for today as Bangladesh have already forfeited their match to the Lankans. Today, Brunei takes on Singapore also in the "losers round", while in the main Group 'A' Saudi Arabia takes on Oman and Vietnam plays Myanmar. The coach of the Sri Lanka side, Arul Amalnathan, who is an Indian national, said that in every game Sri Lanka were in a position to win, but the players failed to stick to the winning formula mentally and the game plan did not work. He said: "They fell for pressure and got nervous. They did not execute the game plan to the best of their ability. We have been meeting every night with the non playing captain Isuru Gunassekera taking decisions with the whole team. All our ideas were taken into account." The President of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA), Suresh Subramaniam, told the Sunday Observer that he was worried, as the sponsors will feel that they were let down. He said: "We spent a lot of money on these players and even went to the extent on getting down two top Indian professionals to play with them too. We were the best prepared side, but were unfortunate to be in the same group with Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. The rains too played havoc with matches being put off several times which could have upset our guys. Under pressure we lose out badly and I am very disappointed. We underestimated Vietnam who were playing in the Davis Cup after about three decades. We must now pump in more money and get our players to play in the Pre Satellite Circuits." Hong Kong leads 2-1 Hong Kong took a 2-1 lead over Lebanon yesterday after winning their Doubles match in the Davis Cup (Asia/Oceania Zone Group II) tie at the NTC in Greenpath. Brian Hung and Ling Liu of Hong Kong beat Lebanon's Karim Alayli and Patric Chuci in straight sets (6-1, 6-3, 6-4). On Friday, Hong Kong's Hiu Tung Yu was forced to concede a walk-over in the First Singles to Patrick Chuci in the fourth set due to heat exhaustion. Chucri won 6-2, 1-6, 6-4, 3-0 (walk-over). In the Second Singles, Hong Kong struck back with Wayne Wong beating Karim Alayli of Lebanon in a four setter (1-6, 6-1, 7-5, 6-3). |
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