Bahrainis rank 12th in Asiad men’s volleyball

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s senior men’s national volleyball team signed off from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China yesterday with a 1-3 (20-25, 18-25, 25-22, 19-25) loss to Chinese-Taipei.

The result placed the Bahrainis 12th overall on the final classification of the 19-nation men’s volleyball competition.

Mohammed Yaqoob was Bahrain’s top scorer in the game with 18 points, including three blocks, while Sayed Hashem Issa added 14 markers.

Hussain Ehsan chipped in with seven, while Mohammed Jassim had six and Hussain Mahdi four.

For Chinese-Taipei, YuSheng Chang paced his side with 20 points, while Hsiang-Ming Tseng added 18.

It was a tough result for the Bahrainis, who began their campaign in Hangzhou with a Pool B win over Nepal, but then fell in three straight games to Iran, Qatar, South Korea and lastly Chinese Taipei.

The nationals were coached by Ruben Adrian Wolochin from Argentina.

They had a 12-player squad at the Asian Games, including Yaqoob, Issa, Ehsan, Jassim, Mahdi, Naser Anan, Ali Ebrahim, Ayman Haroona, Mahmood Alafyah, Abbas Sultan, Ali Habib and Abbas Al Khabbaz.

Basketball Meanwhile, Bahrain tip off their medal bid today in the men’s basketball tournament at the Hangzhou Asiad.

The nationals take on the Philippines in their opening Group C fixture of the preliminary round. The contest is scheduled for an 8.30am start, Bahrain time.

The  Bahrainis are coached by Spaniard Ricard Casas. The team includes Maitham Jameel, Mustafa Hussain, Ali Hussain, Ali Jaber, Ali Shukrallah, Wayne Chism, Alwethaq Ali, Muzamil Ameer, Sayed Mohammed Hameed, Ali Aqeel, Mohammed Buallay and Mohammed Ameer. Bahrain and the Philippines are in Group C along with Jordan and Thailand.

Following the nationals’ opener today, they take on Jordan on Thursday at 6am, Bahrain time; and then complete group play against Thailand on Saturday at 12.30pm, Bahrain time.

There are 16 nations in all competing in men’s basketball at Hangzhou. After a single round-robin, the top teams in each group will qualify directly for the quarter-finals on 4 October.

Meanwhile, the second and third-ranked sides will play each other in a play-off round on 2 October for the right to determine the four other quarter-finalists.