VOLLEYBALL – BAHRAIN had a bitter-sweet ending to their campaign yesterday in the AVC Volleyball Men’s Continental Championship 2026 in Fukuoka, Japan.
The kingdom’s senior men’s volleyball national team powered to a resounding three-set sweep against Gulf rivals Oman, but narrowly missed out on a place in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
The Bahrainis put on a class performance in their 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-23) triumph at Kitakyushu City General Gymnasium. They came away with their sole victory from three fixtures in Pool A of the preliminary round.
The nationals headed into yesterday’s contest facing a must-win to keep their hopes of advancing to the elite eight alive, and they did what they could. But their chances also depended on the results in the two other groups, and the Bahrainis came up just short.
Only the top two teams from each of the three pools plus the two best third-placers marched through to the quarters.
The Bahrainis finished third in Pool A, but Chinese Taipei from Pool C and India from Pool B squeezed into the knockouts, despite also securing just one win in the stage but with better points ratios on their records.
In the round of eight, to be played today and tomorrow, Thailand face Australia, South Korea take on China, Iran play Chinese Taipei, and defending champions and hosts Japan battle India.
In other results yesterday, Thailand defeated Chinese Taipei 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-10) in Pool C and Iran overcame China 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23) in Pool B.
Following the quarters, the semi-finals will be held on Saturday, setting the stage for the gold and bronze medal games on Sunday to bring the curtain down on the tournament.
The elite senior men’s continental championship began with 12 of Asia’s best in the sport. The remaining eight are vying not only for the coveted title, but also for the sole direct quota place in the men’s volleyball tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. In addition, the top three squads will secure berths in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup 2027.
In their win yesterday, Bahrain were spearheaded by the 16 points of outside hitter Sayed Hashem Issa, while middle blocker Hasan Haider chipped in with 11 and opposite spiker Abdulla Mohamed Jaafar added 10.
Middle blocker Ali Yusuf contributed seven points for the Bahrainis in their win while veteran outside hitter Mahmoud Abdulwahed finished with six.
Oman outside hitter Fallah Saleem Al Jaradi was their top performer with 12 points in the loss, while opposite Majid Al Shibli chipped in with 11.
Bahrain, coached by Ivan Joksimovic from Montenegro, had a 13-player roster compete in Fukuoka. The others were opposite Ali Ebrahim, middle blocker Mohammed Abdulla, outside hitters Mahmood Abdulhussain and and Ahmed Mohammed Saleh; setters Mahmood Alafyah and Ali Habib; and liberos Abbas Sultan and skipper Ayman Harwana.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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