VOLLEYBALL – Dar Kulaib kicked off their bid for a sensational title double this national volleyball season by powering into the semi-finals last night of the 2025-26 His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s Cup.
The recently crowned champions in the Isa bin Rashid Bahrain Volleyball League powered to a dominant 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-17) sweep of A’ali in their opening assignment of this prestigious knockout tournament.
The game was played at Isa bin Rashid Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa, and it was the first on back-to-back nights of exciting quarter-final action.
Dar Kulaib were the aggressors from the first serve against A’ali and a Mahmoud Abdulwahed spike midway through the opening set gave them a commanding 16-6 advantage.
A stunning ace by Ali Marhoon later wrapped up the frame for an early 1-0 lead.
Dar Kulaib rode their momentum into set two where they once again built a comfortable, double-digit cushion at 18-8, following a Marhoon smash.
They then maintained their formidable attack until the end to go ahead 2-0.
The third set was no different for the victors, who were now firmly in control of the contest.
They were gifted the match-clinching point on a service error by A’ali – sealing their convincing triumph and punching their tickets into the last four.
Also playing key roles for their team yesterday were Hasan Alwarqaa, Ali Habib, Abbas Abdulla, Ali Mohammed Abdulnabi, Hassan Abbas, and Kenyan professional Enock Mogeni.
In the semis, Dar Kulaib will be taking on the victors of the other quarter-final clash between Bani Jamra and Nabih Saleh.
Action in the round of eight continues tonight with another two matches on schedule at the same venue.
At 7pm, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s Cup holders Muharraq will be facing Al Tadhamun, to be followed at 8.30pm by an exciting battle between Al Ahli and Al Najma.
The winners of this evening’s games will meet in the other fixture of the final four, which is scheduled to be played on Wednesday later this week.
The highly anticipated title-decider is then slated for Saturday.
This year’s His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s Cup is a knockout competition that features all 14 teams that are under the umbrella of the Bahrain Volleyball Association.
Dar Kulaib and Muharraq were given automatic berths in the last eight after finishing as the league’s top two teams.
Muharraq lifted last season’s trophy following a hard-earned victory in four sets against Dar Kulaib.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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