VOLLEYBALL – Al Ahli completed a clean sweep of the first of two rounds last night in the Top Six stage of the 2024-25 Isa Bin Rashid Bahrain Volleyball League.
Ahli powered to a decisive 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-15) victory against Al Najma at Isa Bin Rashid Arena, part of Isa Sports City in Riffa.
The result earned Ahli their fifth triumph in as many games. They remained as the only undefeated team in the Top Six, which now heads into its second phase with another round of matches.
At the end of this stage, the cast for the Golden Square semi-finals will be determined.
Despite their loss, Najma are still in contention for the last four, along with Ahli, defending champions Dar Kulaib, and Muharraq. Nabih Saleh and Al Nasser are presently on the outside looking in.
In last night’s contest, Ahli took a quick 11-5 lead in the first set and never gave up control, although Najma valiantly stayed within striking distance.
A Hassan Haider block helped Ahli go up 23-20, and later Mohammed Anan contributed set point to give them the early advantage.
In the second set, Ahli maintained their strong form and went comfortably up 15-8. Bahrain internationals Ali Ebrahim and Hani Alawi went on to supply the clinching points for the 2-0 match advantage.
Ahli were now cruising, but Najma started the third set with a more determined effort, building a 5-2 lead. But Ahli roared back and took a 7-6 edge on an Ebrahim spike. They then made it 12-9 until Najma scored the next three points to tie it once more. Ahli’s French professional Joachim Panou then put his team back in front, and they never looked back.
A Sayed Mohammed Al Abbar smash made it 15-12, and Ebrahim was on target once again to put them on the brink of victory. Ahli sealed the win with a Najma error.
Also contributing to Ahli’s cause were Mohammed Anan, Mahmood Abdulhussain, Hussain Mansoor, and Ayman Haroona.
The loss was the second for Najma to go with three wins – forging a three-way tie in the standings on win-loss records with Dar Kulaib and Muharraq.
Dar Kulaib claimed a come-from-behind 3-1 (27-29, 25-21, 26-24, 25-21) triumph over Al Nasser in another match at the same venue.
Ahli and Dar Kulaib joined Muharraq as winners in this week’s Top Six fixtures. Muharraq took their game against Nabih Saleh in three sets.
The second round in the Top Six gets underway tomorrow with one match on schedule. Nabih Saleh take on Nasser in a clash at 9pm between the bottom two clubs.
Then, on Thursday, Muharraq take on Najma at 8.30pm, followed by Ahli looking to maintain their perfect run against the reigning title holders.
This phase of the Top Six is scheduled to conclude on April 4.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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