South Korea edge Bahrain to end reign as AVC champions

TDT | Manama

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Defending champions Bahrain fell just short of a second successive AVC Men's Cup final yesterday, losing 3-1 to South Korea in the semi-finals in Ahmedabad, India.

After pushing the Koreans all the way in a tightly contested encounter, the Kingdom’s national men’s volleyball team went down 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, ending their title defence but keeping alive hopes of a podium finish.

Opposite hitter Abdulla Ebrahim led Bahrain’s scoring with 15 points, while outside hitter Mahmood Abdulwahed added 14, including two service aces. Sayed Hashem Ali contributed 11 points, and middle blocker Hasan Al Warqaa finished with eight points, including four blocks.

South Korea were led by opposite Hojin Shin, who produced a match-high 26 points, while outside hitter Hanyong Jeong added 20 and Jaeyoung Lim chipped in with 12 as the Koreans reached the AVC Men’s Cup final for the first time.

Under head coach Ivan Joksimovic, Bahrain battled throughout the contest, narrowly losing the opening two sets before responding to take the third 25-23. South Korea, however, regained control in the fourth set, pulling away late to seal victory and a place in the final.

The defeat brought an end to another strong campaign for Bahrain, who reached the semi-finals after winning four of their five group-stage matches, defeating Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Kazakhstan and Australia to finish second in Pool A behind hosts India.

Joksimovic’s side will now face India in today’s bronze medal match at the same venue, with first serve scheduled for 1pm (Bahrain time). The national team will be looking to respond after a straight-sets defeat to India in the preliminary round.

Indonesia and South Korea will contest the final later today at 4:30pm (Bahrain time), with Indonesia advancing after a 3–2 semi-final victory over the hosts.

Bahrain remain the reigning AVC Men’s Cup champions after lifting their maiden continental title on home soil last year. That historic triumph also secured qualification for the AVC Men’s Continental Championship, which will be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from September 4 to 13.