VOLLEYBALL – BAHRAIN champions Muharraq outclassed Police SC from Qatar in three sets yesterday in the 44th Arab Club Men’s Volleyball Championship, currently being played in Tunis, Tunisia.
The kingdom’s representatives put on a fine display against their Gulf neighbours to claim their second victory in four Group B matches with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-20) score line – virtually securing their place in the knockout stages.
The result also halted Muharraq’s two-game losing streak in the tournament. They had opened their campaign with a win over Majees SC from Oman, but then suffered successive losses to Al Ittihad SCSC Tripoli from Libya and to home side Etoile Sportive du Sahel.
They are scheduled to complete their preliminary round campaign today against Palestinian Military Club from Palestine at 3pm, Bahrain time, which will be their fifth outing in as many days.
In yesterday’s contest, Muharraq were the aggressors from the opening ball and were first to double digits following a Mahmood Alafyah service ace that made it 10-5. Police battled back and took a 20-19 lead, but Muharraq replied in the very next rally with a smash from Swedish star Jacob Link. The two sides continued to trade jabs and after the Qataris levelled it at 23-apiece, an attack from Link and a triple block from Link, Mohammed Omar, and Polish professional Mateusz Jozwik earned them the one-set lead.
In the second frame, Muharraq trailed 11-13 but a double block by Omar and Sayed Hashem Issa later gave them a slim 15-14 edge. Police rallied once more and tied the proceedings at 21-all, but Muharraq’s Mohammed Abdulla gave them the lead for good with a stunning spike, and a fine Issa attack eventually secured their 2-0 advantage.
The Qataris then got off to a strong start in the third set, where they built a commanding 7-1 cushion. But Muharraq gradually chipped away at the deficit, and a block touch out on an Abdulla smash equalised for the Bahrainis at 13-13. After the score remained tied at 17-all, Muharraq finally took control with four unanswered points – an attack from Omar, back-to-back aces from Alafyah, and a spike by Issa. They then rode their momentum to the finish as the Qataris never recovered.
Muharraq, coached by Bahraini tactician Yaseen Al Meel, also received timely contributions against Police from Naser Anan, Majeed Mohammed, and Hussain Ehsan, among others.
The Bahrainis are one of 12 teams in the Arab Volleyball Association tournament. Group A of the preliminaries features Al Seeb from Oman, Northern Refineries Sport Club from Iraq, Tadjenanet from Algeria, Asswehly SC from Libya, Qatar SC from Qatar, and Esperance Sportive de Tunis representing the hosts.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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