Bahrain’s Arab Cup Run Stalled

Bahrain’s senior men’s volleyball team suffered their first defeat in the Arab Challenge Cup in Amman, Jordan, going down 3-1 to Egypt last night. After a resounding 3-0 win over Palestine in their opener, the Bahrainis faced a far much tougher opponent in the North African side.

The first set saw Egypt seize the early initiative, claiming it 30-28. Bahrain responded in the second set, edging Egypt 25-23 thanks to sharp attacking from Naser Anan and Ali Ebrahim. Their precise spikes and coordinated play hinted that Bahrain could maintain their momentum.

Egypt, however, quickly regained control. The third and fourth sets both ended 25-17 in favour of the Egyptians, who combined powerful serving with strong net play to wear down Bahrain’s defence. The gulf in depth and experience became apparent as Bahrain struggled to sustain their early intensity.

Despite the setback, Bahrain showed flashes of quality. Coach Arnaud Josserand praised the team’s fight in the second set and emphasised the need for sharper execution in upcoming matches. The squad, including Mohammed Anan, Mahmood Alafyah, Abbas Al Khabbaz, and Sayed Hashim Issa, will aim to bounce back when they face Kuwait tonight at 7pm.

Bahrain then take on Tunisia on Thursday at 3pm and conclude their campaign against host Jordan on Friday evening. The Arab Challenge Cup, organised by the Arab Volleyball Association in cooperation with the Jordan Volleyball Federation, remains a key platform for regional teams to test themselves ahead of the international season.