By Sports Reporter/Doha
The Qatar Cup volleyball final today is expected to be a thrilling affair with rival teams Al Arabi and Al Rayyan promising a tough fight.
Qatar league champions Rayyan are full of confidence with coach Daniele Bagnoli hoping to make amends for the defeat in the Super Cup.
“Arabi defeated us in the Super Cup and we’ll try to reverse that. My team is in top form as we have won the GCC Cup and the league. It is an important match for us and we’ll fight hard to win it too,” Bagnoli said.
The teams in the Qatar Cup are allowed two professionals and that has made the tournament more attractive as both teams are armed with plenty of global talent.
Rayyan’s attack will be led by experienced Italian Cristian Savani and Jan Stokr, the best Opposite in the world, while defending champions Arbai has Kenya’s Philip Maiyo and Cuban Yadrian Escobar Silva in the team as professionals. Savani has helped Italy win the Olympic Games silver and bronze medals in 2004 and 2014, respectively.
Both teams have clashed three times this season with Arabi having a 2-1 edge as they beat Rayyan 3-2 during the first round of the league and in the newly-introduced Super Cup. Al Rayyan’s lone 3-1 win over Arabi came during the second leg in the league.
Arabi coach Ljubomir Travica, who has replaced Adel Senoun recently, said, “I am happy to be back in Qatar. Also I’m happy that my team is in the final of the Qatar Cup, which is important for everybody. There is no doubt that the final will be strong and interesting one.”
“I expect a tough final. The two teams have won a lot of titles in the past. This is a very prestigious cup and my team will try our best to win the title,” the Italian said. “Al Rayyan are in good form. Recently, they have won the GCC title. We’re ready for this important match and will try to keep the cup for another year,” he added.
Maiyo, who has been a regular for Arabi in his second season and helped them win the QVA Cup and Super Cup earlier this year, said: “Rayyan are in good form. Recently, they have won the GCC title, but we’re ready for this important match and will try to keep the cup for another year.”
Talking about his team’s preparations, Bagnoli said: “The season in Qatar is very challenging. Lots of matches are played during a short period. Only one court is holding most the matches and it has become very hard, which is not good for the players.”
Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) executive director Ahmed al-Sheebani, who was present during the press conference said: “We have already requested the Qatar Olympic Committee for new court and I hope it will be changed soon.”
He also said the profile of the Qatar volleyball is fast improving due to presence of big names. “Earlier, we used to have only star players but now we started to have world famous coaches also. This has added a lot of value to our volleyball,” added al-Sheebani.
The final is scheduled at the Al Arabi Club Indoor Hall at 6.30 pm and carries QR300,000 prize money for the champions. The losers will earn QR150,000.
Officials, players and coaches pose with Qatar Cup yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram
