NET DUAL: Al Arabi and Al Ahli players in action during the Emir Cup Volleyball tournament at the Al Arabi Indoor Stadium yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed
By Yash Mudgal/Doha
Hosts Al Arabi snuffed out the challenge of Al Ahli 3-0 to top the group and secure a semi-final berth in the Emir Cup volleyball here at Al Arabi indoor stadium yesterday evening.
Arabi, who finished third in the Qatar Volleyball League, played with considerable cohesion and firepower to win the match 25-20, 25-15, 25-21 with an all-court game against the league runners-up.
Arabi played a near-perfect first two sets with everyone contributing in equal measure. Leanardo Levya was the most consistent player in the match. With minimum effort, he unleashed numerous winners and blocked really well. His performance was instrumental in Arabi’s good show. Brazilian Thiago Soares Alvis and German professional Pampel were also outstanding with their spikes.
It was in the third set that Ahli made their presence felt. Quiet in the first two sets, Hernandez peaked in the third with his trademark dipping smashes as Ahli took the 4-6 lead for the first time in the match.
Ahli looked like showing some resistance when the teams were tied at 12-12 in the third set, but Arabi came back strongly, finishing the match 25-21 with some strong smashes from Pimpel and Leanardo.
Ahli’s performance was like the curate’s egg. While their attack was more or less spot-on, their reception wasn’t satisfactory. Libero Kanani was excellent only in patches, while attacker Hernandez’s performance could be termed the lone redeeming factor for Ahli.
“It was a good game for us. We played according to our plan. We kept our rivals under pressure through out the match to finish the match in straight sets. We are the only unbeaten team in the group,” Arabi coach Maaouia Lajnaf said.
“Ahli is a good team. They have played some really good games recently, but I think we performed according to our plan today. All the players contributed well. I am glad that we are through to the semi-finals,” he said.
“It was a good match. We played like a team today and hope to enter the final of the tournament,” Arabi’s Leanardo said.
“We have come to the tournament with really high expectations. We expect to at least play the same level we have been playing recently and win the tournament,” he added.
“It was a tough game for us. Arabi is a top team with some very experienced players. We will meet Sadd in a must-win match for the semi-finals,” Ahli coach Jean-Michele Roche said.
In a battle of the minnows, Qatar Sports Club (QSC) came through a worth winner beating Al Sadd 3-1 (27-25, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24) in the second match of the Group ‘B’. Now with two consecutive defeats Sad finds itself out of the running for a place in the semi-finals.
With much at stake – QSC had lost to Ahli and Sadd had lost to Arabi—both sides rose to the occasion. What distinguished QSC this day was its ability to handle the climax in each set with cool competence.
It saved two game points in the fourth set from 22-24 to reel off four points to clinch the set. QSC’s defence blocked with energy and precision to turn the tide in its favour.
Arabi will meet Qatar Sports Club, while Ahli will take on Al Sadd in the their final league games on Tuesday.
BELOW:
TRYING TO BLOCK: Qatar Sports Club and Al Sadd players in a net dual during their Emir Cup Volleyball match at the Al Arabi Club yesterday. The former won the contest 3-1 (27-25, 23-25, 25-20, 26-24).