Spikers beaten again in Japan

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain suffered their second successive defeat at the AVC Men’s Continental Championship after going down 0-3 (15-25, 15-25, 23-25) to hosts and defending champions Japan yesterday.

The kingdom’s spikers faced a formidable challenge against the world number six side at Kitakyushu City Gymnasium in Fukuoka, with 6,639 spectators in attendance.

Japan controlled the opening two sets, winning both 25-15, before Ivan Joksimovic’s men produced a much stronger showing in the third.

The Bahrainis stayed with the home side throughout the frame and pushed them until the closing stages, but Japan eventually held firm to take it 25-23 and complete the straight-sets victory.

The Japanese enjoyed a clear advantage in attack, scoring 45 points to Bahrain’s 29, while also leading 9-3 in blocks and 5-1 from serve.

Mahmoud Abdulwahed was once again Bahrain’s leading scorer with 10 points, matching his tally from their opening defeat to Australia.

Hashem Mohamed and Abdulla Mohammed added seven points apiece, while Ran Takahashi led all scorers for Japan with 19. Captain Yuki Ishikawa contributed 12.

The defeat leaves Joksimovic’s side without a win after their opening two Pool A matches, having also lost 0-3 to Australia on Friday. Japan, meanwhile, sit top of the group with two wins from two.

Bahrain now turn their attention to their final preliminary-round encounter against Oman on Wednesday at 4am, Bahrain time, as they look to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

The top two teams from each of the three pools advance automatically, along with the two best third-placed sides.