Phatthalung, Thailand, April 9, 2010 -- Home spikers made their mark on the first day of the 8th Loma-Federbrau Asian Beach Volleyball Invitation at Lumpum Saensuk Beach here, with Thailand 3 pulling off a stunning two-set win over last newly-crowned Khanom Asian Tour champions New Zealand 1.

The second circuit of the annual beach volleyball tournament in Thailand kicked off officially on Friday in Phatthalung.

Thailand 1's Kamoltip Kulna and Yupa Phokrongploy, gold medallists at the last year's Vientiane-hosted Southeast Asian  Games(SEA) who are fresh from winning the 2nd Khanom-Federbrau Asian Tour in Khanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat two days ago, remained in devastating form.

After thrashing Malaysia 1's Kuck Sea Yeng and Woo Ching Ru in a totally one-sided battle 21-16 21-3 in 26 minutes, the Thailand 1's duo continued their exceptional form to mercilessly crushing Singapore's Huang Zihui and Sai Fenghui in straight sets 21-12 21-10 in 35 minutes. For the two straight wins, Kamoltip and Yupa advanced to the second round as the Group A winners.

Thailand 2's Jarunee Sannok and Usa Tenpaksee, gold medallists at the Bali-hosted Asian Beach Games in Indonesia, also cleared their first hurdle successfully as they opened up with a comfortable 21-9 21-6 win over Malaysia 2's Jessie Lee Jay See and Chia Chou Hwa in just 24 minutes to top Group B.

Thailand 3's Julalak Radarong and Maneerat Udomchavee went down to Kazakhstan 2's Irina Tsimbalova and Tatyana Mashkova 21-23 10-21 in Group F, but still made it to the second round as they finished second in the group.

In the men's competition, Thailand 1's Kittipat Yungtin and Teerapat Pollueang had a comfortable day following their scintillating two wins on Friday. They first outclassed Malaysia 1's Khoo Chonh Long and Rafi Asrua B. Nordin in straight sets 21-10 21-15 before thrashing Hong Kong 2's Kwok Wing Ho and Lee Yik Yu 21-15 21-12 in 30 minutes in their second match to emerge as the Group E winners.

Thailand 2's Sittichai Sangkhachot and Prathip Sukto also proved their talents to score two straight victories. They first brushed off India 1's Mohammed Jameeluddin and Sara Ravinder Reddy 21-16 21-15 in tiring 40 minutes before later stunning Japan 1's Masakazu Ushio and Taro Suzuki 21-17 21-17 in 37 minutes to top Group C.

Thailand 3's Panupong Toyam and Niphon Nimnuan sprang a big surprise of the day when they overpowered New Zealand 1's Sam O'Dea and Ben O'Dea, fresh from winning the 2nd Khanom-Federbrau Asian Tour in Khanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat t wo days ago, 21-18 21-15. They marched on their sparkling form by beating Malaysia 2's Yogeswaran Elangovan and Beh Kiang Yao 21-15 21-12 to capture the pole position in Group G.

A total of 42 teams consisting of 18 women's and 24 men's teams from 13 countries and regions are taking part in the three-day event. The second round on Saturday starts at 8.30am, with Kazakhstan 2 taking on Japan 1 and New Zealand 1 playing Indonesia 1 in the men's event and Thailand 1 meeting New Zealand in the women's competition.