China and Pakistan win gold medals in Asian beach games
After 8 days of playing on hot sands of Bali we found out who are the winners of 1st Asian games on sand. In women`s competition China has been rewarded gold medal, while Pakistan once again proved that they are the best team in Asia, in men`s category.
Chinese Taipei-India 2:0 (10:8, 13:9)
First, third place matches were played. Defeated teams from semifinals wanted to prove that they deserve bronze medal. Chinese Taipei team was more successfull. However, there was a great achivement reaching semifinals for Indian team.
Thailand-Qatar 2:1 (15:16, 16:11) (12:10)
In this tournament almost every match ended by shoot-out. This means that all teams were equal, and current inspiration of one team decided the match. Same thing happened in the bronze medal match. After loosing first set, Thailand managed to win the second and, eventually win the match after shoot-out. This was a first medal for Thailand in beach handball.
Final matches were played in the afternoon. After 38 matches in both categories a chance to win the gold medal was given to national teams of China and Thailand (women), and Pakistan and Kuwait (men).
Thailand-China 0:2 (10:13,10:11)
Interesting result of all semifinal matches was the fact that teams from the same preliminary groups met again in bronze medal matches, as well as in finals. After defeat in preliminary group, Thailand team had more motive to avenge themselves, however after gold medal match they had to congratulate Chinese team once again.
Kuwait-Pakistan 1:2 (22:14, 14:16)
Kuwait team practiced their anger, potential, and talent in first set and then, they stopped. Combination of their self-confidence in certain victory, easy entry into second set and possible insufficient readiness led to a defeat in second set. After that, winner had to be found out by shoot –out. Only 3 points were scored in shoot-out. Unfortunately for Kuwait , Pakistan scored 2 points and won beach handball tournament of 1st Asian beach games.
This also made our predictions before the competition justified, given that China (women) and Pakistan (men) had a lot of benefit from participation in the World Championships 2008 held in the Spanish Cadiz (where they represented Asia for the first time).
Women
Team – Medal
People’s Republic of China (CHN) GOLD
Thailand (THA) SILVER
Chinese Taipei(TPE) BRONZE
Men
Team –Medal
Pakistan(PAK) GOLD
Kuwait(KUW) SILVER
Thailand (THA) BRONZE
Congratulations to all teams!