VOLLEYBALL – Defending champions Bahrain maintained their perfect record yesterday in the 24th Arab Men’s Volleyball Championship, currently being played in Amman, Jordan.
The kingdom’s senior men’s volleyball national team defeated Gulf rivals Saudi Arabia 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-23) to claim their third straight victory while having yet to concede a set in the six-nation tournament, which is being played in league format.
The Bahrainis took control early and rode their momentum into the third set, where they did enough to close things out as the Saudis made a late push in an attempt to extend the contest.
Bahrain’s Haider rises for an attack during their game against Saudi yesterday
In attendance during the game was Bahrain Volleyball Association vice-president Habib Mohammed, who later joined the nationals on the court and congratulated them on the impressive result.
Bahrain are back in action on Tuesday when they play their penultimate fixture against Algeria at 4pm.
They then wrap up their repeat-title bid on the concluding day of the competition on Wednesday at 6pm.
Both times are Bahrain.
The Bahrainis’ victory yesterday added to their straight-set wins against Kuwait and hosts Jordan in their opening two assignments last week.
Head coach Ivan Joksimovic has a near-full-strength squad at the Jordanian capital, where the nationals have welcomed the return of superstar outside hitter Mohammed Yaqoob following a lengthy absence from international duty due to injury.
Yaqoob once again played a key role in yesterday’s triumph, spearheading Bahrain’s attack alongside fellow-veterans Ali Ebrhaim, Mahmood Alafyah, Mahmoud Abdulwahed, and Hasan Haider, among others.
The nationals started off well and were in control for the entire opening set, which they secured with a Saudi service error.
Bahrain were then dominant in the second frame, taking a commanding lead midway through and going up by as many as 12, 23-11, following three straight points from up-and-coming young talents Abdulla Mohammed Jaafar, Mahmood Abdulhussain, and Ali Yusuf.
Another gaffe by their opponents in service then gave them the 2-0 cushion.
In the third set, Bahrain needed to dig deep as the Saudis battled hard to stay in the game.
The kingdom’s spikers faced a three-point deficit late on but came up big when it mattered most.
After drawing level at 23-apiece, a double block by Yaqoob and Yusuf earned them match point, which was then delivered by Yaqoob with a brilliant smash.
The Bahrainis are gunning for their fourth title in the history of the Arab men’s championship.
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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