In the second semi-final of RuPay Pro Volleyball League, Kochi Blue Spikers will lock horns against Chennai Spartans at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
The last encounter between both the teams at the round-robin stage was a thriller which ended in a comeback win for Kochi. Chennai had won the first two sets and looked set for a comfortable win but Kochi staged a remarkable fightback to take the match 3-2.
After playing their last competitive match on February 11th, Kochi will be taking the court for the all crucial semi-final on Wednesday night. Ahead of the match, Mohan Ukkrapandian, captain, Kochi Blue Spikers said “It was a great outing against Chennai when we met in Kochi. This time we will be playing in front of the Chennai crowd and they will rightly back their team and Chennai has played some great volleyball recently. None of us will have a second chance as it is now or never. We have to give our 200%.”
Chennai peaked at the right time and their convincing wins against Black Hawks Hyderabad and Ahmedabad Defenders in their fixtures of the league stage was a testimony of what the team is capable off.
Shelton Moses, skipper of Chennai Spartans felt that they are in good shape and ready for the challenge. “We have proved ourselves as the team has come together and performed at the right time. Akhin, Verhoeff and Sorokins have been outstanding for us and their performances have only helped lift the team to the next level. In a semi-final the pressure is different and with the fans support behind us, I am sure we can prevail even if it is an opponent as strong as Kochi.”
