VOLLEYBALL – MUHARRAQ were last night crowned champions of the 2024-25 Isa bin Rashid Bahrain Volleyball League.
Muharraq captured the national title after battling past Al Ahli 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 25-23) in the winner-take-all third game of their best-of-three finals series, played at a packed and rocking Isa bin Rashid Volleyball Arena, located at Isa Sports City in Riffa.
With the result, Muharraq secured the coveted crown for a record 16th time in league history. Ahli stayed on five championships won overall.
Muharraq and Ahli were presented their respective accolades in an awarding ceremony after the match, attended by Bahrain Olympic Committee secretary general Faris Al Kooheji, Bahrain Volleyball Association (BVA) vice-president Mohammed Al Thawadi, and a number of BVA officials.
Al Kooheji handed over the champions’ shield to Muharraq captain Mahmood Alafayah in the presence of teammates, head coach Yaseen Al Meel, and club officials.
Muharraq were the underdogs heading into the championship series after Ahli completed the preceding Top Six phase undefeated in 10 games. Ahli then also won their semi-final against Al Najma in a single outing to earn their place in the title-deciding match-up.
Muharraq, meanwhile, had to overcome a tough challenge from two-time defending league champions Dar Kulaib to set up their mouth-watering head-to-head with Ahli.
In the finals, Muharraq stunned Ahli in game one with a win in three sets, but their rivals roared back with a four-set victory in game two, setting the stage for last night’s rubber match.
Muharraq were the aggressors throughout yesterday’s contest, and then overcame a valiant stand from Ahli to close the game out.
By securing the title, Muharraq earned the right to represent the kingdom in the AVC Men’s Champions League 2025, which will be played May 11 to 18 in Japan.
Muharraq are one of 12 champion teams in the prestigious continental event, which is sanctioned by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC).
In last night’s affair, Muharraq fell behind 13-17 in the first set following a Naser Anan attack for Ahli. But they fought back brilliantly, scoring the next five points, including an Abbas Al Khabbaz spike that put them back in front.
Sayed Hashem Issa then broke a 22-all deadlock, and then points from Al Khabbaz and Swedish professional Jacob Link gave Muharraq the early single-set advantage.
In the second frame, back-to-back points from Al Khabbaz and Link put Muharraq up 19-17, and they held on to their lead until the end. Ahli’s Sayed Mohammed Al Abbar misfired to put Muharraq on the brink of taking the championship.
Ahli fought to stay alive, however, and did well to build a 12-8 lead in the third. Muharraq stayed within striking distance and it remained close until Link hit a powerful smash to tie the score at 24-apiece. A Mohammed Omar service error for Muharraq followed by a double block on Link by Hasan Haider and French import Joachim Panou sent the match into a fourth set.
There, Muharraq edged ahead 23-22 with a Naser Anan spike, and after an error by Ahli’s Mohammed Anan gave the victors championship point, Al Abbar overhit another attack to end the match.
Link finished as the game’s leading scorer with 33 points for Muharraq, while Panou had 24 for Ahli in the losing effort.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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