Bahrain claim gutsy victory

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s senior men’s national volleyball team put in a gutsy performance yesterday in an epic, come-from-behind victory in five sets against Thailand in the 22nd Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship in Urmia, Iran.

The nationals gave up the first two sets and appeared to be on the brink of a third straight defeat in the continental competition, but they showed their poise and roared back in the next three sets to come away with the hard-earned 3-2 (17-25, 20-25, 25- 23, 25-21, 15-10) triumph.

The result, which was their first win in the tournament, kept the Bahrainis’ hopes alive of finishing as high as seventh place on the final rankings.

That would be their best-ever final classification in the biennial Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) showcase.

“I appreciate my players, who performed very well in the decisive moments of the match,” said Bahrain’s Argentinian head coach Ruben Adrian Wolochin.

“We had a great comeback because of their spirit.”

Bahrain will now take on Pakistan in their final classification game today, which is also the championship’s concluding day.

The Pakistanis made it to this contest after twice battling back from a set down to overcome Indonesia 3-2 (19- 25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 15-12) in another game yesterday.

Coincidentally, Pakistan are guided by former Bahrain head coach Issanaye Ramires Ferraz from Brazil.

Their classification clash is scheduled for a 1pm start, Bahrain time.

“We will fight tomorrow to become the seventh team of the tournament,” said Wolochin. “Pakistan is a competitive team and we will have a different performance against them.”

Opposite spiker Mohammed Anan and outside hitter Mohammed Yaqoob were Bahrain’s top scorers yesterday with 19 points apiece. Anan had an impressive six blocks in the contest.

Skipper Nasser Anan chipped in with 16 markers, including three blocks. Middle blocker Abbas Al Khabbaz contributed six points, while setter Mahmood Al Afia had five, including three blocks in the win.

Opposite Napadet Bhinijdee had a game-high 28 points to pace the Thais in the loss. Middle blocker Thanathat Thaweerat added 12, while outside hitter Anurak Phanram scored 10 points.

Aside from the Anan pair, Mohammed Yaqoob, Al Khabbaz and Al Afia, Bahrain’s other players in Urmia are Ali Ebrahim, Ayman Haroona, Ali Habib, Mahmood Abdulhussain, Mahmoud Abdulwahed, Mohammed Jassim, Hani Ali, Sayed Hashem Issa and Hussain Sultan. Bahrain have never won a medal in the Asian men’s championship.

This year’s tournament marks their 11th appearance.

Their best finish so far was in 1987 when they were eighth amongst 17 teams. There are also 17 nations competing this year.