Rayyan ready to take on Police in final today

Players, coaches and Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) officials pose on the eve of the Emir Cup volleyball final yesterday.

By Yash Mudgal/Doha

Al Rayyan will tackle their last hurdle in a bid to complete a domestic treble when they meet Police in today’s Emir Cup volleyball final.

The defending champions have already won the Qatar Volleyball League and the Heir Apparent Cup. Rayyan coach Ljubomir Travica has made no secret of the team’s desire to end the season on a winning note as he said, “I think we have played good volleyball as a team throughout the season and are hoping to finish it in style. It will be a tough game as Police are also playing really well.

They have a good team and they proved it by defeating Arabi in the semifinal, but I am confident of a good show from my boys in the final.”

Rayyan captain Osman Ajab said: “It will be a difficult game for both the teams. We will try our best to win the title.”

On the other hand, Policemen, who lost to Rayyan in their group match, have an added motivation of winning their first major title. Against a rival such as Rayyan, a club heralded as the gleaming light of exuberance as this season’s league and Heir Apparent Cup campaigns have shown, Police’s uncanny ability to overcome lesser and greater opponents alike has been down to the squad’s ability to cohesively outperform the other team.

“It is a very important game. Whenever we play Rayyan there are chances. Especially when we know Rayyan will be strong. They have won two titles in the season. We need to be motivated and make sure we make no mistakes. It’s important we take advantage from attacks,” Police coach Selim Bouhala said.

“I feel like we have the right balance in the team. We have played some good games and hoping for a good result in the final,” he said.

If Rayyan is to be defeated today, it will have to be through a system of hard work and selfless game, not an outstanding individual performance. Whether it’s the ever-underrated Netor in libero, the composed Nemec in the centre of the defence or even the exciting Akhem in attack, Police is full of outstanding individuals who perform at an even higher level when synchronised with one another.

It’s exactly this — when defence turns in to attack so smoothly from one player to the next — that makes fans purr with affection. This notable trait that has brought Police so much success is their strongest asset.