Muharraq clinch 16th league title after beating Al Ahli

TDT | Manama

Email: hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Champions once more

Muharraq have written another chapter in their storied history, capturing their 16th Isa bin Rashid Volleyball League title with a 3-1 win over rivals Al Ahli in the decisive third match of the final series, held on Monday.

The match saw Muharraq take the title for the 2024–2025 season after sealing the win with set scores of 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 25-23.

The trophy ceremony was led by Faris Mustafa Al Kooheji, Secretary General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, with support from Mohammad Al-Dhawadi, Vice President of the Bahrain Volleyball Association. Muharraq’s players lifted the league shield and received gold medals, while Al Ahli’s squad collected silver.

Tactical discipline and defensive steel

Muharraq’s game plan was perfectly executed. Their pinpoint serving repeatedly unsettled Al Ahli’s attack, while Abbas Al-Khabbaz and Mohammed Omar dominated at the net with timely blocks and solid defence.

At the centre of the team’s fluid offence was captain and setter Mahmood Al Afia, who orchestrated plays with calm authority. His creative distribution unlocked key points for the attacking trio of Jakob Link (Sweden), Nasser Anan, and Sayyed Hashim Sayyed Isa, all of whom delivered telling blows at crucial stages of the match.

Al Ahli fall at final hurdle

Despite showing flashes of resilience, most notably in their third-set win, Al Ahli struggled to maintain composure in the match’s defining moments. A series of individual errors, particularly in the closing stages of sets, proved costly.

Coach Aymen Al-Mansali made adjustments in search of momentum, but a lack of mental sharpness in the final points allowed Muharraq to regain control and close out the contest.

Legacy secured

The match, witnessed by a lively crowd, was another fierce chapter in the historic rivalry between the two clubs. With their latest title, Muharraq extend their legacy as one of Bahrain’s most decorated volleyball teams, showing once again that when the pressure mounts, they know how to rise.