Al Rayyan Club will be eyeing for their fourth title of the season, when they take on Police in the Qatar Cup volleyball championship final at the Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) Hall today.
The Qatar Cup final carries QR500,000 in total prize money with QR300,000 awarded to the winners, according to Qatar Volleyball Association Executive Director Ahmed Shibani. There are also individual awards up for grabs for the best professional and home players.
Al Rayyan and Police sealed their place in the title after beating Qatar Sports Club and holders Al Arabi in the semi-finals, respectively.
Rayyan started the season with the Super Cup win and then followed it up with the Arab Clubs Championship and dethroned Police to bag the Qatar volleyball league for the ninth time. “The secret of our success this season has been our tough preparations. We prepared all the players in such a way that they can replace anybody at any time. All of them are getting chances and I know Police are a difficult side and the Qatar Cup final is also going to be quite tough for us.
“However, we take it as a big test for us. We need a different approach and formation. We have the players who can deliver it again but we have to certainly play our best game once again if we are to continue our winning march and bag the fourth title,” Al Rayyan Coach Carlos Schawanke said, yesterday.
With two of their players still suspended because of the on-court scuffle against Qatar Sports Club, they may be psychologically low entering the title clash.
Talking about the final, Police coach Damian Arrendondo said: “This is not a revenge match. Al Rayyan Club have been the best team of the season and they are playing strong volleyball. We do have the abilities but we need to be a bit lucky during the tight situations. If we can gain some of the crucial points in the final, we can get the better of Al Rayyan. But it will never going to be easy.”
Police team manager Rashid Mahmoud, professional player Mads Ditlevsen and Nadir Abubakr were at the press conference yesterday. From Al Rayyan, team manager cum player Ali Ishaq and libero Suliman Saeed attended the meet.
The QVA will also honour two players – Ahmed Seif and Fahad Medadi – posthumously for their remarkable services to the sport.  QVA Board Member Saeed Salem said: “The final is expected to be a high-level affair with both Al Rayyan and Police being the best teams of this season. The QVA wishes good luck to them and expects the players to put up a good show not only for the fans but also for the Qatar volleyball.”




Related Story