The Al Rayyan team pose after receiving HH the Heir Apparent’s Cup volleyball trophy from Qatar Olympic Committee secretary general Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on Friday. Al Rayyan defeated Al Arabi 24-26 25-21 22-25 25-21 20-18 in an exciting final.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Qatar League champions Al Rayyan won the HH the Heir Apparent Volleyball Cup here on Friday.
In a thrilling five-set final in which pendulum swung both ways, Rayyan had the last laugh, defeating defending champions Al Arabi 24-26, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 20-18. It was Rayyan’s eighth HA Cup title.
Rayyan’s libero Suleiman Saeed was adjudged the best resident player, while Arabi’s Leonardo Leyva bagged the best professional honour.
The club will now represent Qatar in the Asian Club Championships to be held from April 22 in Tehran, Iran.
Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and gave away the trophy.The winners earned QR300,000 for their victory, while Al Arabi took home QR150,000.
Representatives of sponsors Seashore Group and Suliman Brothers were also present on the occasion with QVA President Khalid Ali al-Mawlawi and Secretary General Mohammed Ali al-Mohannadi.
“My team is new and has not got enough time to combine well. There were mistakes by my team but my players made up for them,” Rayyan coach Ljubomir Travica said.
Al Rayyan Club Volleyball Head Ali Salem was thrilled with his team’s victory. “It was an action-filled final and our team played its heart out. I want to thank the club president for his total support.
“I want to congratulate the players for their outstanding work. It is really hard luck for Al Arabi. This is all I can say right now.”
Al Rayyan Team Manager Nasser al-Malki said: “We really missed many heart-beats in the final. Our team put in a lot of hard work today and we came through an extremely difficult match to win the Cup for the eighth time. We had failed to reach the final last year.
Al Rayyan Team In charge Abdulla al-Mutawa said: “Whenever Al Rayyan and Al Arabi play, we always have a high-class volleyball. Today also the same thing happened. I want to thank God for helping my team to emerge the champion.”
BELOW: Al Rayyan players celebrate their success and action from the final. Pictures: Shemeer Rashid.