Bahrain Warm Up with Saudi Win Ahead of West Asia Championship

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s national volleyball team beat Saudi Arabia 3-1 in a pre-tournament friendly, just days before the West Asia Men’s Volleyball Championship kicks off in Manama.

The match served as final preparations under head coach Arnaud Gosserand, with the hosts taking the sets 25–21, 21–25, 25–23, 25–16. The result comes as Bahrain look to build momentum toward a second major title this summer, only this time it will be against regional rivals in a brand-new continental competition.

Groups Confirmed 

The West Asia Volleyball Association (WAVA) has confirmed the final groups for the July 17–27 tournament, which will take place at Isa Bin Rashid Hall in Isa Town.

• Group A: Bahrain, Jordan, UAE, Lebanon

• Group B: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman

This is the first-ever edition of the senior men’s national team championship under WAVA. The goal is to establish a consistent, high-level tournament that strengthens volleyball development across the region—something Bahrain is clearly committed to being at the heart of.

Building from AVC Success

Bahrain enters as the reigning AVC Men’s Volleyball Nations Cup champions, having clinched their first continental title just last month, also on home soil. That campaign produced several standout names, all set to return for this tournament:

• Abdulla Mohammed, tournament MVP and Best Outside Hitter 

• AlAfyah Mahmood, Best Setter

• Khamis Ali, Best Opposite

• Haroon Ayman, Best Libero
  
  

With an established core and winning pedigree, Bahrain are rightly considered among the favorites.

The friendly win over Saudi Arabia gave Gosserand a final look at combinations and rotations ahead of what will be a competitive 10-day stretch. The performance suggests that the team’s confidence is high, and their rhythm intact.

Bahrain will open their group campaign against Jordan, UAE, and Lebanon—each match a test in its own right. But with form and home support on their side, expectations will be high.

The win over Saudi Arabia was promising, but the real business begins Thursday.