Ahli power into West Asian volleyball semis

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Al Ahli Club powered into the semi-finals of the second West Asian Men‘s Clubs Volleyball Championship, currently being held in Muscat. The Kingdom’s representatives secured their place after sweeping past home side Seeb of Oman in straight sets.

Ahli were in control of the contest from the start, and held off a last stand from their opponents in the third to secure the 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20) score line.

Ahli are now set to face Al Rayyan of Qatar in their final four contest, scheduled to be held today at 4pm, Bahrain time. In other quarter-final games yesterday, Rayyan beat tournament hosts Sohar of Oman 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-10), while Kuwait SC defeated fellow-Kuwaiti side Qadsia 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18).

The last match was between Al Arabi of Qatar and Baniyas of the UAE, with the victor of that game set to take place Kuwait SC in today’s other final four contest. Ahli were spearheaded in yesterday’s win by Bahrain national team stars Ali Ebrahim and Nasser Anan, along with Montenegro professional Marko Vukasinovic.

Also making key contributions were Sayed Mohammed Al Abrar, Mahmoud Abdulhussain, Mohammed Habib, Hussain Al Haiki, and Mahmood Al Afia, among others. Al Afia has been loaned from fellow-Bahraini club Muharraq for this championship. Following today’s semi-finals, the final and bronze medal game are slated for tomorrow, the tournament’s concluding day.