VOLLEYBALL – Muharraq pulled off a heart-stopping victory in five sets over two-time defending champions Dar Kulaib last night in their seventh round meeting in the Top Six stage of the 2024-25 Isa Bin Rashid Bahrain Volleyball League.
The game was a gruelling affair, lasting for three hours at Isa Bin Rashid Volleyball Arena at Isa Sports City in Riffa. It was a crucial clash between both sides who are aiming to secure a berth in the Golden Square semi-finals.
Behind the strong play of Swedish professional Jacob Link and their Bahraini contingent of Naser Anan, Sayed Hashem Isa, and Mahmood Alafyah, Muharraq took the early advantage in a tightly contested first set. Dar Kulaib then battled back in the second to tie it at 1-1, until Muharraq took the lead again in the third.
Dar Kulaib did not go down without a fight, however, convincingly winning set four to force the tie-break. There, the see-saw nature of the game continued, and both teams did well to stave off defeat with their rivals both having multiple opportunities to finish off the match.
But it was Muharraq who eventually took the honours in the end, with Alafyah blocking an attack from Dar Kulaib’s Yousef Khaled to secure the game with a 3-2 (30-28, 20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 23-21) score line. The result earned Muharraq an all-important fourth win in seven matches in the Top Six table, while handing Dar Kulaib their fourth loss to go with three wins.
Top Six action continues tonight with one game on the cards, between undefeated league leaders Al Ahli, who will face Al Nasser at the same venue.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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