Fourth Consecutive Win for Bahrain After Saudi Sweep

TDT | Manama

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The kingdom’s teenage volleyballers swept defending champions Saudi Arabia aside in straight sets on Friday, making it four wins from four and 12 sets without defeat as a title showdown with Egypt draws near.

Bahrain won 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 at the Isa bin Rashid Volleyball Arena in Riffa, brushing aside the side that beat them to the Arab under-17 crown two years ago.

It was a fourth 3-0 win in as many matches. Jordan, Algeria and Kuwait had already fallen without taking a set.

Saudi Arabia made Bahrain work hardest in the second. The hosts took the opener 25-19, but their Gulf rivals stayed close throughout the next before Bahrain shut the door at 25-23.

The third was far more clear-cut. Bahrain pulled away and finished the job 25-18.

Mohammed Abdulaziz said the strain had shown early, especially from the service line.

“The match was difficult and there was some pressure on us, but thankfully we won,” he said.

“At first our serves were not coming off, but in the third set I think we only missed two or three. Saudi Arabia are a very strong opponent, but thankfully we won. God willing, the championship will be ours.”

Team-mate Ali Hassan was already looking towards Egypt.

“Thank God, the match was neither easy nor too difficult. It was a very good game and things went our way,” he said.

“Egypt are a strong side, but we are capable of beating them. We do not want to let down the supporters who came today and, God willing, we will rise to the challenge.”

Bahrain’s record now reads four wins, 12 sets won and none lost.

They began by beating Jordan 25-14, 25-18, 25-9, then saw off Algeria 25-13, 25-14, 25-19. Kuwait pushed them furthest, forcing a 35-33 second set, but Bahrain still won 25-14, 35-33, 25-10.

Sunday brings the match that will decide the Arab crown.

Bahrain face Egypt at 7pm with both sides unbeaten after four outings and neither having lost a set.

The six-team championship is being played as a single round-robin, meaning the last meeting between the two perfect sides will decide who finishes top.

Egypt have beaten Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Algeria, all by 3-0 margins.

Saudi Arabia came to Riffa as champions after winning the 2024 Arab under-17 title in Amman, where Bahrain finished second.

Coach Yusuf Khalifa and assistant Mohammed Salman now have one match left to turn that silver into gold.