Bahrain’s spikers face tough test against Iran

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain ’s senior men’s national volleyball team and under-23 Olympic football team are back in action today at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, while the pair of Abdulla Janahi and Khalifa Al Doseri get their medal bids underway in sailing.

The volleyball squad will be looking to secure their second Pool B victory as they face a mammoth challenge against continental powerhouses Iran.

The game is scheduled for a 9.30am start, Bahrain time, at China Textile City Sports Centre Gymnasium.

The Kingdom’s spikers had won their first game against Nepal in four sets on Tuesday, and after Iran’s 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25- 13) win over Nepal yesterday, the Bahrainis are already assured their place in the next round.

Their game against the Iranians will decide if they go through as Pool B winners or runners-up.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s under-23 Olympic football team will be looking to post their maiden win in Group E of men’s football today.

They take on their Kuwaiti counterparts at 11am, Bahrain time, at Jinhua Sports Centre Stadium.

The Bahrainis had drawn their opening game 1-1 against Thailand on Tuesday.

It was a disheartening stalemate, as the nationals only conceded the equaliser in the game’s dying moments in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

The under-23 nationals head into today’s affair currently third in the Group E table, following South Korea’s 9-0 drubbing of Kuwait in the other divisional fixture on opening day.

Also today, Janahi and Al Doseri will be taking to the water at Ningbo Xiangshan Sailing Centre. Janahi will be competing in the men’s dinghy category while Al Doseri will be contesting the boys’ dinghy.

The sailing competitions at the Hangzhou Asiad consist of 10 races, to be held over five days. Each competitor competes in two races a day.

Points are won to determine the positions in each stage, and at the end the sailor with the lowest points emerges the winner.