VOLLEYBALL – Bahrain continued the winning start to their title-defence last night in the 24th Arab Men’s Volleyball Championship, currently being played in Amman, Jordan.
The kingdom’s senior men’s volleyball national team defeated the hosts 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-19) for their second win in as many outings so far in the six-nation tournament, which is being played in league format.
The nationals are back in action today when they face off with Saudi Arabia at 4pm.
They then go up against Algeria on Tuesday, also at 4pm, before wrapping up their repeat title bid on the concluding day of the competition on Wednesday at 6pm.
All times are Bahrain.
In the first set yesterday, a Sayed Hashem Issa spike broke an 18-all deadlock and sent Bahrain on their way to securing the first set, which was capped by a Mahmood Abdulhussain attack.
The Bahrainis then enjoyed a dominant second set, which ended with a Jordanian service error.
They then rode their momentum into set number three, but needed to battle back from an early 6-10 deficit as Jordan fought to stay in the contest.
Abdulla Mohammed Jaafar hit a powerful smash to give the nationals a slim 12-11 advantage, and they later strung together three straight points to build a 16-13 advantage.
They never looked back from there, and Issa delivered the decisive point to seal the match.
The Bahrainis are coached by Ivan Joksimovic. They are three-time champions in the competition.
They won the last edition in 2024 hosted by the kingdom, adding to their crowns in the 2008 and 1992 competitions.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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