Al Arabi players celebrate after winning the Qatar volleyball Cup at the Arabi indoor hall yesterday.
By Yash Mudgal/Doha
Al Arabi defeated Al Rayyan 3-1 in an absorbing encounter to retain the Qatar volleyball Cup at the Arabi indoor hall yesterday.
In a match that saw the momentum constantly changing in the first two sets, the defending champions lost the first set closely, but came back strongly to win the next three against the newly-crowned league champions. This was Arabi’s third title of the season, after they had won QVA Cup defeating El Jaish and Super Cup, beating Rayyan.
“It is a very big win for us. After finishing second in the league, we were determined to retain the cup and I am very happy that my boys played remarkably well today to beat in-form Rayyan in four sets,” Arabi coach Ljubomir said.
Rayyan began well in the first set as the two sides kept pace with each other until the first 20 points. The league champions then stepped up its intensity and clinched the set 26-24 as they took advantage of some missed serves by Arabi.
The next set was also keenly fought as both the teams were tied till 23-all before Arabi held their nerves to clinch the set 25-23. After winning the third set 27-25, Arabi closed out the match in the fourth set as they gave very little chance to Rayyan to make a comeback and finished it 25-23.
Kenyan Philip Maiyo and Cuban Yadrian Escobar Silva were the stand-out performers for Arabi as they smashed with precision. “It is a very good win for my team as we have retained the cup defeating an in-form and experienced team. I am happy with our performance in the tournament especially after we failed to win the league,” said Maiyo, who was adjudged best player of the final and received a cash prize of 10,000QR.
“I was not expecting to win the best player ward. I am delighted. I have won five titles with Arabi and hope to win couple of more for the club,” the Kenyan star said.
Rayyan captain Ali Ishak also awestruck with Travica boys’ performance today. “I must admit that Arabi players were at top of their game today. In fact they played one of their best games of the season.
“They were down one set, but they came back strongly in the second and were one notch above in the third and fourth game. We started off well, but failed keep the moment going at the crucial moments of the match. We need to work on our defensive game and blocking,” he said.
Rayyan’s professionals Cristian Savani and Jan Stokr and Mubarak Dahi Waleed tried to lift their side with blocks and spikes from the middle, but lifter Andre Luiz was not up to the mark on the night. “It was brilliant to win in front of our fans. We combined well as a team and retained the cup. I hope we would perform with the similar intensity in the forthcoming Emir Cup also.” Juma Faraj of Arabi said.
