VOLLEYBALL – Bahrain outplayed the UAE 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-18) last night to wrap up their preliminary round campaign unbeaten in the first WAVA Men’s Volleyball Championship, currently being hosted by the kingdom.
The Bahrainis were in sensational form in their third Pool A victory in as many days at Isa Bin Rashid Arena, located at Isa Sports City in Riffa.
They were in control the entire way against the Emiratis and sent out a stern warning to their rivals about their title ambitions.
Attending the contest were Bahrain Volleyball Association (BVA) president Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and French Ambassador Eric Giraud-Telme, along with other high-ranking BVA and West Asia Volleyball Association (WAVA) officials.
Also taking victories yesterday were Qatar in a heated five-setter against Kuwait, Saudi Arabia who swept past Oman in three sets, and Jordan who ousted Lebanon in a four-set battle.
With the tournament’s first stage complete, a rest day will be held today as all eight teams now gear up for the knockouts, starting tomorrow with the quarter-finals.
In the round of eight, the Bahrainis will face off with the Kuwaitis while the UAE will battle Oman. Qatar will play Lebanon and Jordan will take on Saudi.
In Bahrain’s win last night, the Emiratis, who were also riding a two-game winning streak heading into the clash, took the early lead until the hosts fought back. A Hasan Al Warqaa spike put them ahead for good in the first set 7-6, and that sparked a resounding 8-2 rally, capped by a Mohammed Yaqoob service ace that made it 15-8. Yaqoob later had a smash for a 23-13 advantage, and then a block-out on an Ali Ebrahim attack gave the hosts set point. That was secured by Yaqoob with a powerful spike, set up by Mahmood Al Afyah.
In the second frame, the Bahrainis stayed afloat early and then pulled away following an Ayman Al Harwana reception that was not returned for a 12-7 edge. Yaqoob was on fire yet again and then Mohammed Jassim contributed an ace for a 17-10 cushion. Abbas Al Khabbaz got in on the action with his own ace for a 23-13 lead, and then points from Hani Alawi and Mohammed Anan put the home team up 2-0.
The nationals carried their momentum into the third, although the UAE tried to keep things close. Following a two-handed attack from Sayed Hashem Issa and a Hussain Mansoor ace, Bahrain went in front 19-15 and never looked back. Five straight points, capped by an Issa ace, put them in reach of the win, and then a spike by veteran Mahmood Abdulwahed delivered match point as the Bahrainis closed out the cool three-set result.
Three players finished with eight points apiece for Bahrain, including Anan, Yaqoob, and Jassim. Mohamed Al Suwaidi was the UAE’s top scorer, also with eight points.
In yesterday’s other Pool A game, Jordan defeated Lebanon 3-1 (25-20, 31-29, 19-25, 25-17), led by the 16 points of Paul Bou Akl, to claim their maiden win of the competition.
In Pool B, Qatar joined Bahrain as undefeated teams from the preliminaries after edging past Kuwait 3-2 (25-12, 23-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-11). Belal Abunabot had 20 points as the Qataris’ top scorer.
Saudi, on the other hand, won for the first time after beating Oman 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 28-26), spearheaded by Mohamed Adel’s 18 points.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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