Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) president Khalid Ali al-Mawlawi and other officials with the League champions Al Rayyan yesterday. PICTURES: Najeer Feroke
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Al Rayyan capped a successful Qatar Volleyball League season with a win over Police in the last round at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday.
Rayyan, who had captured their third consecutive QVL title with a 3-1 (25-21, 24-26, 25-21, 25-15) victory over arch-rivals Al Arabi in the penultimate round of the league, defeated Police 3-2 (25-16, 12-25, 16-25, 26-24, 25-16) in their last league match to complete their legacy-defining victory.
This year was unlike last two years when Rayyan had emerged victorious after nail-biting finishes amid high drama in the last round. This season, Daniele Bagnoli’s boys showed consistency, losing only two matches during the campaign.
“It was a superb season for us. We won GCC Clubs in Saudi Arabia in March and now we have the league title with us. I am very happy with the victory as it was a reward for the hard work of the boys,” Rayyan coach Bagnoli said.
“We had our plans for the season and we executed it properly,” the 61-year-old Italian added.
Rayyan had a slow start but picked up momentum in the second phase of the league in February.
In the penultimate round, three teams – Rayyan, Arabi and El Jaish -- had the chance to win the title. With Jaish losing to Police, all Rayyan had to do was beat Arabi by at least a 3-1 scoreline to secure the title. They did so in style.
After losing two games in the first phase to Jaish and Arabi, Rayyan maintained their supremacy in the second phase by winning all the matches.
“This time we didn’t want to leave it for the last round. In the last two years, we clinched the title only in the last round. This time we had a chance to win it early and we didn’t let go of that opportunity,” said Osman Ajab, one of the architects of the triumph.
Italian start Cristian Savani, Mubarak Dahi Waleed, Ali Asadi, and Suleiman Saeed also played their role to perfection in the successful campaign.
Arabi, who won the league five consecutive times between 2009 and 2013, defeated Jaish in the last match of the league 3-1 (25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 25-16) to finish second with 17 wins and three losses. Jaish, with 16 wins and four losses, came third.
“After two early defeats, we regrouped and won nine games in a row,” said Ajab.
Bagnoli made many changes in the last tie given the inconsequential nature of the match and to try the bench strength. Last year, Rayyan looked tired after reaching the final of the FIVB Club World Championship in Brazil and lost in the semifinals of Qatar Cup and Emir Cup.
“I didn’t want to risk my players in the inconsequential tie prior to Emir Cup, which we failed to win last year. Savani was also not fully fit today so I was bit more careful as we are approaching two prestigious domestic tournaments,” he said.
Talking about their chances in the Emir Cup, the Italian coach said, “Right now I am enjoying the league win and will start planning about the Cup after some time.”
However, Ajab sounded confident about the forthcoming tournament when he said: “Last year after the Brazil tournament, we didn’t have proper time to recover but this time we are aiming to complete a hat-trick of domestic titles.”
Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) president Khalid Ali al-Mawlawi distributed the prizes to the winners. “Congratulations to Rayyan, for winning the title for the ninth time. It was an exciting tournament,” said al-Mawlawi.
Starting Sunday, the top four teams of the League will battle it out in the Qatar Cup. The semi-finals will be played in a best-of-three format. Al Rayyan will take on Police, while Al Arabi will clash with El Jaish. The final is scheduled for May 2.
BELOW:
1) Al-Mawlawi hands over the winner's trophy to Al Rayyan’s Osman Ajab. Right: Rayyan players click a selfie after the prize distribution ceremony yesterday.
2) Al Arabi received QR200,000 for finishing second in the league; (right) El Jaish received QR100,000 for their third-place finish.
