VOLLEYBALL – BAHRAIN moved one victory away last night from capturing the gold medals in the second Arab Youth Volleyball Championship, currently being played in the kingdom.
The hosts roared to their fourth successive win – while maintaining their pristine record having yet to concede a single set – in a resounding 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-18) decision against defending champions Saudi Arabia.
The nationals put in a gutsy effort in the thrilling contest, overcoming a spirited challenge from their rivals in the second frame en route to closing out the game in style with a dominant third.
The result followed their straight-set victories against Jordan, Algeria, and Kuwait, and they must now beat fellow-unbeaten side Egypt in their concluding fixture tomorrow to secure the crown.
The Egyptians were also triumphant yesterday, sweeping past Algeria 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-17) to keep the pressure on the home team and set up tomorrow’s mouth-watering, title-deciding clash at Isa bin Rashid Volleyball Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa.
The affair is scheduled to get underway at 7pm, and it will headline the programme on the tournament’s concluding day.
In another fixture tomorrow, Saudi and Jordan lock horns at 3pm, while today, a lone match between Algeria and Kuwait will be played starting at 4pm at the same venue.
The Bahrainis were the silver-medallists in the inaugural edition of the Arab Youth Volleyball Championship held in Amman, Jordan in 2024, but are now aiming to go one better on their home floor.
In attendance at the nationals’ game last night were Bahrain Olympic Committee secretary general’s office director Shoof Almalood, Bahrain Volleyball Association (BVA) vice-presidents Habib Mohammed and Mohammed Al Thawadi, BVA and Arab Volleyball Association secretary general Feras Al Helwachi, and other BVA officials.
The Bahrainis kicked things off yesterday with a strong opening set, which they wrapped up with a double block from middle blocker Ammar Ebrahim and setter Ahmed Husain.
In the second, the Saudis raised their play and the two teams remained deadlocked at 10-all. But Bahrain dug deep and powered ahead 19-16 following a fine attack by outside hitter Sayed Hasan Alabbar.
They then benefitted from multiple Saudi errors but lost four set points as their opponents rallied to get back to within 23-24.
Alabbar calmed Bahrain’s nerves, however, sealing their two-set advantage with a clever tap at the net.
In the third frame, Alabbar stepped up yet again, helping his team build a slim 17-13 advantage.
He was then on target with back-to-back attacks to extend their lead to 20-14, and the Bahrainis never looked back from there.
Outside hitter Mohammed Haram had successive smashes to put the nationals on the brink of victory, and then opposite spike Mohammed Kadhem pushed them over the finish line with a stunning spike to end the match.
Following the contest, the BVA officials joined the kingdom’s youth men’s squad on the court and congratulated them on their victory.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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