BAHRAIN kept their title hopes intact last night after pulling off a hard-earned 3-2 (25-19, 19-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-10) victory over Iraq in the 21st Arab Volleyball Championship, being held in Cairo.
The nationals posted their fourth straight victory with two matches remaining and are in prime position to come away with the tournament crown.
After wins over Oman, Jordan, Algeria and Iraq yesterday, the Bahrainis’ remaining games are against Palestine and hosts Egypt and wins in both fixtures will seal them the championship.
Palestine have so far lost two of their three games, while Egypt, like Bahrain, are undefeated, but in three games.
Bahrain take on their Palestinian counterparts at 4pm today, and then go against the Egyptian hosts in what is expected to be the title-decider at 9pm tomorrow.
Starting the match for Bahrain against Iraq last night were Ali Al Sairafi, Mohammed Anan, Yousif Khalid, Mohammed Yaqoob, Abbas Al Khabbaz and Mahmood Al Afya.
The rest of the squad, coached by veteran Bahraini tactician Yousef Khalifa, included skipper Nasser Anan, Ayman Haroona, Mohammed Jassim, Hussain Al Haiki, Hassan Al Haddad, and Hussain Sultan.
The seven-nation tournament is being held in league format, and it is scheduled to continue until Sunday.
Bahrain have won the tournament twice in the past, first in 1992 and then again in 2008. In the last edition of the tournament in 2016, which was also held in Egypt, the hosts were the winners after beating Bahrain in the final. Iraq finished in third place.
Meanwhile, Bahrain Volleyball Association president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa visited the team at their residence in Cairo and wished them success ahead of yesterday’s game against the Iraqis. Shaikh Ali was accompanied by BVA general secretary Jehad Khalfan and BVA assistant general secretary Feras Halwachi.