Bahrain advance after thriller

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com   

Bahrain secured the final spot in the second round of the Asian Volleyball Championship after a thrilling victory over Australia.

The home team triumphed in a nail-biting five-set match, winning 3-2 with set scores of 17- 25, 36-34, 16-25, 25-20, and 16-14. The victory was hard-fought, with Bahrain playing a grueling 15 consecutive sets over three matches.

Despite the physical toll, the Bahraini players displayed exceptional resilience and determination, showcasing their fighting spirit and solidifying their rightful place in the tournament’s next stage.

After losing the first set and trailing in the second, Bahrain’s players rallied to pull even in what became the tournament’s longest set, finishing at 36-34.

The team’s high concentration and strategic substitutions made by coach Fouad Abdul Wahed played a crucial role in this comeback.

The third set saw Bahrain falter, but they regained their momentum in the fourth, thanks to effective plays by substitutes Hassan Al-Badil, Jassim Madan, and Ali Sultan. In the decisive fifth set, Bahrain’s defense was led by Hassan Mansour and Ali Abdul Amir, who effectively organized the blocking.

Ali Hussein anchored the backcourt defense, while Ali Thamer and Muhammad Abdul Nabi facilitated versatile plays, proving Bahrain’s merit for qualification despite some tense moments throughout the match.

Japan dominates Chinese Taipei

The Japanese team delivered a commanding performance against Chinese Taipei in the Asian U-18 Volleyball Championship, securing a 3-0 victory with set scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-20. The Japanese players showcased their dominance from the outset, excelling in both offense and defense.

The first set saw a tight competition, but Japan gained momentum with strong leadership from their player, “Truckee,” who fortified their defensive walls.

Players Mosques and Kashiwazaki scored decisively from both ends of the net.

Despite a determined effort from Chinese Taipei, Japan maintained control through superior technical skill and teamwork.

China edge out Iran

In Group C, China pulled off a thrilling comeback against Iran, clinching a 3-2 victory after trailing 2-1 in sets.

The Chinese team now tops the group with 8 points, while Iran stands at 7 points, with both teams advancing to the next round.

The match was fiercely contested, with set scores of 22-25, 25-23, 14-25, 25-22, and 15-13. Iran initially led 6-3 in the final set, but China’s resilience, led by Jiang, Li, and Dong, turned the tide in favor of the “Chinese Dragon.”

Despite the efforts of Iran’s Amir Naderi and Amin Rahimi, China’s defensive walls and tactical plays secured their victory.

Thailand top Group A

Thailand continues to dominate Group A in the Asian U-18 Volleyball Championship, securing their third consecutive win with a 3-0 sweep against Hong Kong.

The set scores were 25-23, 25-17, and 25-19, elevating Thailand’s points tally to eight.

Thailand imposed their technical rhythm throughout the match, capitalizing on Hong Kong’s errors. Despite Hong Kong’s competitive spirit in the first set, Thailand’s offense and defense proved too strong.

Ko Shing of Hong Kong scored an impressive 21 points but couldn’t turn the tide in favor of his team, which will now shift focus to the ranking matches.

The Thai community in Bahrain has been a significant support factor, boosting the team’s morale with a remarkable presence at the matches.

South Korea advance

South Korea secured their place in the second round of the Asian U-18 Volleyball Championship’s Group D by defeating India 3-0, with set scores of 25- 18, 25-23, and 25-17.

South Korea’s strong start set the pace, and their strategic play ensured victory despite India’s resistance. Seon Gul was a key contributor, scoring 19 points for South Korea, leading the team to a comfortable win and qualification for the next round.

Kazakhstan triumph

Kazakhstan celebrated a morale-boosting 3-0 victory against Saudi Arabia with set scores of 25-23, 25-19, and 25-19, concluding their preliminary round.

Both teams will now focus on ranking matches after missing out on the second-round qualification.

Philippines secure first win

The Philippines achieved their first win in the tournament against Lebanon, ending their preliminary round with a 3-0 victory (25-13, 25-23, 25-21).

Although this win won’t affect the standings significantly, both teams will compete in the 9th to 16th place rankings after Iran and China secured their spots in the next round.

Philippine player McTangai shone as the top scorer, amassing 16 points, including 11 from attacks, two from blocks, and three from serves.

Pakistan Tops Group D

Pakistan maintained its dominance in Group D of the Asian U-18 Volleyball Championship, securing a third consecutive victory as the preliminary round concluded yesterday.

The Pakistani team overcame Kuwait in a convincing 3-0 win (25-19, 25-11, 25-19), boosting their tally to 8 points and solidifying their position at the top of the group.

This victory ensures Pakistan’s qualification for the second round of the championship. Star player Mohamed Yahya continued his impressive form, leading the scoring with 16 points against Kuwait.

Yahya has emerged as a key offensive force for the Pakistani team and is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming second round of the championship. Kuwait, on the other hand, suffered their third consecutive loss in the tournament, having previously fallen to India and South Korea.

Despite their efforts to improve their performance, the team struggled against Pakistan’s superior height and blocking ability.