VOLLEYBALL – Bahrain went down fighting yesterday in the semi-finals of the AVC Men’s Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad, India, ending their reign as champions of the annual Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) competition.
The kingdom’s senior men’s national team suffered a tough 1-3 (23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25) defeat to their counterparts from South Korea in a thrilling encounter at Veer Savarkar Sports Complex.
The Bahrainis conceded the first two sets but roared back to extend the contest.
They could not force the tie-break, however, and now have to settle for playing for the tournament’s bronze medals against hosts India.
The game for third place is scheduled for today at 1pm, Bahrain time.
The South Koreans will go up against Indonesia for gold, also today, slated for 4.30pm, Bahrain time.
The Indonesians broke the Indians’ hearts in front of a packed home crowd 3-2 (15-25, 26-24, 25-20, 19-25, 15-13) in yesterday’s other exciting clash in the last four, which went the maximum.
This evening’s title-decider will bring the sixth edition of the AVC event to a close, and it will be followed by the official awarding ceremony.
Bahrain’s head-to-head with South Korea yesterday was a re-match of their meeting at the same stage in last year’s edition of the AVC Men’s Cup, when the nationals eked out a nail-biting five-set victory at home en route to their historic championship.
The Bahrainis were also facing yesterday their former head coach Issanaye Ramires from Brazil.
Ramires’ squad were first to double digits in the opening set but the Bahrainis tried to stay close, although could not manage an equalising point despite multiple opportunities.
After outside hitter Mahmoud Abdulwahed scored with a clever touch that brought the nationals to within 21-22, their opponents responded and a Hojin Shin spike down the line sealed their 1-0 advantage.
In the second frame, Bahrain faced deficits of as many as eight points.
They put up a valiant effort to get back to within striking distance at 18-21, but the Koreans recovered and powered ahead to a two-set lead.
The Bahrainis were determined to stay in the fight and went up 6-3 early in the third set following a smash from outside hitter Sayed Hashem Issa.
The South Koreans later drew level until opposite spiker Ali Ebrahim put the Bahrainis back in front with a fine attack.
The two teams traded jabs until the score was 23-all, and then Bahrain middle blocker Hasan Haider came up big for the kingdom’s side.
He first earned them set point with a well-hit spike, and then delivered the clinching point on his ensuing serve, securing the frame with an ace.
South Korea were the aggressors from the start of set four, regaining their momentum.
They built a commanding 18-12 lead and appeared on their way to finishing things off, and although the Bahrainis put up one last stand, they could not get any closer than three points the rest of the way.
Ebrahim finished as the nationals’ leading scorer with 15 points, while Abdulwahed added 14 and Issa chipped in with 11.
Middle blocker Hasan Alwarqaa contributed eight markers, which included four block points.
For South Korea, Shin was their top man with a game-high 26, including three points apiece on blocks and on serve.
Hanyong Jeong added 20 while Jaeyoung Lim scored 12 points in their revenge victory.
Aside from today’s medal clashes, a pair of classification games will also be held.
At 7am, Qatar take on Chinese Taipei for seventh position; while at 10am, Thailand and Kazakhstan square off for fifth overall. Both times are Bahrain.
Oman yesterday secured ninth on the final rankings after ousting New Zealand 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-18).
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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