Bahrain Flatten Kuwait to Reach Semis
TDT | Manama
Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com
Saudi Arabia stands between Bahrain and a shot at the Arab Championship final
If there were any doubts about Bahrain’s championship credentials in the WAVA Men’s Volleyball Championship, they were erased in their quarter-final performance last night. Led by French Olympian Arnaud Josserand, Bahrain swept Kuwait in straight sets (25–15, 25–22, 25–20) to reach the semi-finals against neighbors Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain is playing with confidence and an efficiency that few in the tournament can match. They haven’t dropped a single set in four matches, finishing Pool A with 3–0 wins over Jordan, Lebanon, and the UAE. Entering the knockout stage, they led the tournament in attacking and serving, including 22 points scored directly from serves, which is a stat they reinforced last night.
To their credit, Kuwait came in battle-tested after a 0–3 loss to Oman, a surprise 3–2 win over Saudi Arabia, and a close 2–3 loss to Qatar. Against Bahrain, they fought hard but couldn’t find answers to Bahrain’s control at the net.
Kuwait’s Rashed Anbar was the top scorer with 19 points, while Bahrain’s Ali Ibrahim led with 14 points. Mohammed Yaqoob added 11, Nasser Anan 8, Hassan Al Warqa 7, and Mohammed Jassim 5. Mahmoud Al Affiah and Mahmoud Abdulwahed matched each other’s tally of one point.
Bahrain Mean Business
This team isn’t just in great form, they are decorated champions. Just last month, Bahrain won their first-ever AVC title at the 2025 Men’s Volleyball Nations Cup, following their Arab Championship win in November. Now, two wins stand between them and a historic regional treble.
Bahrain’s Nasser Anan said after the match, “Congratulations to our team and hard luck to Kuwait. The first set was easy, but pressure rose in the second. We pulled away in the third and relaxed. InshAllah, we can finish the job Friday and reach the final.”
Quarter-Final Highlights
Elsewhere, Oman beat the UAE 3–0 (25–19, 25–18, 25–16), with Mahmood Al Saadi scoring 24 points. Oman outscored UAE 75 to 53 and committed fewer errors (18 vs. 25), leading in aces (2–1) and blocks (12–7).
Saudi Arabia also won 3–0 (26–24, 25–20, 28–26) against Jordan, though sets were close. Mohammed Adel scored 15 points, helping Saudi edge out Jordan 79–70, with fewer errors (20 vs. 25).
Saudi’s assistant coach Hussain Marhoon spoke bluntly after the match, “When players underestimate opponents, performance drops. It’s six men vs six men, respect your opposition or regret it.”
Qatar cruised past Lebanon 3–0 (25–17, 25–16, 25–13). Abdulrahman Bakry led with 12 points. Qatar outplayed Lebanon 75–46, doubling aces (6–2), making fewer errors (14–22), and more blocks (7–3).
Qatar’s coach Camilo Andres Soto said, “Even if Lebanon hasn’t played much recently, we treated the quarter-final seriously. It helps us rest players and keep rhythm. Our pool was tough, and we haven’t played three games in three days since 2021. Now, we face a tough Oman in the semis.”
Roll on the Semis
Today is a rest day for semi-finalists, but classification matches are set: Kuwait vs Jordan at 3 PM, UAE vs Lebanon at 5 PM. Tomorrow, Bahrain face Saudi Arabia, and Qatar meet Oman at Isa bin Rashed Arena. Entry is free.
If Bahrain keep this up, they’re not just playing for a final spot, they’re playing for history.
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