Latest news with #AsianMen'sVolleyballChampionship
Daily Tribune
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Beat Thailand to Launch Nations Cup Bid
Hosts make strong start with 3-1 win in Riffa opener, Indonesia Next Winning Start in Riffa Bahrain's men's national volleyball team opened their 2025 AVC Men's Volleyball Nations Cup campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win over Thailand last night at Isa Bin Rashid Arena in Riffa. Backed by a vocal home crowd, the hosts now take early control of Group A. Set scores: 25-21 Bahrain 21-25 Thailand 25-19 Bahrain 25-22 Bahrain Key Performers Step Up Ali Ebrahim led the scoring for Bahrain with composed attacking displays and strong serves, while Anan and Mohammed Yaqoob added vital experience and consistency in key phases. Mahmood Alafyah and Ayman Harwana also made significant contributions, both in defence and transition, helping Bahrain regain momentum after dropping the second set. The result gives Bahrain a major boost heading into their next group fixture against Indonesia, who they face at 7pm tomorrow night. Home Crowd Makes a Difference With fans filling the stands and generating a lively atmosphere, Bahrain's players fed off the energy throughout the match. The support mirrored scenes from last year's Arab Championship and proved crucial during tight moments, particularly in the fourth set. Quarter-Final Path Takes Shape The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout rounds. Victory over Thailand, a former Nations Cup champion, puts Bahrain in a strong position to qualify—especially with only Indonesia left to face in pool play. The eventual tournament winner will also earn a place in the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship, the next step on the road to the 2028 Olympics. This year's AVC Nations Cup champion will qualify directly for the 2026 Asian Championship—a vital step toward Olympic qualification.
Daily Tribune
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Al Khabbaz Called Up, Omar Sidelined
TDT | Manama Late change to Bahrain's squad ahead of Asian Championship on home soil. Final Adjustment Before Kick-Off Bahrain have made a late adjustment to their squad for the 2025 AVC Men's Volleyball Nations Cup, with Abbas Al Khabbaz called up to replace the injured Mohamed Omar. The change was confirmed over the weekend as Al Khabbaz joined full training at Isa bin Rashid Volleyball Hall, stepping into preparations just days before the opening serve. Omar, who had been recovering from a recent knock, was ultimately deemed unfit to compete. The Bigger Picture Set to begin tomorrow, this year's Nations Cup brings together 11 of Asia's top men's national teams in Riffa for six days of action. The tournament, hosted by Bahrain for a second consecutive year, is being organised by the Bahrain Volleyball Association in collaboration with the Asian Volleyball Confederation and Volleyball World, under the patronage of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Alongside chasing silverware, teams at the AVC Men's Nations Cup are also vying for a place at the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship, with qualification reserved exclusively for the eventual winners. That tournament carries even greater weight: the Asian champions in 2026 will secure direct qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, while the top three will also punch their ticket to the 2027 FIVB Men's World Championship. Tough Pool, Clear Ambitions Bahrain have been drawn into Pool A alongside Thailand and Indonesia, who are both higher-ranked opponents. Currently 65th in the latest FIVB World Rankings, Bahrain will be looking to defy expectations and progress to the quarter-finals. Bahrain will first take on Thailand tomorrow at 7pm before facing Indonesia on Wednesday at the same time. The team returned recently from a productive training camp in Cairo, where they faced Egypt in two warm-up fixtures. Despite a few injuries, the camp was seen as vital for sharpening tactical cohesion. Training has since intensified back home, with head coach Arnaud Josserand leading sessions focused on match scenarios and tactical fluency. Quiet Confidence Building With Kazakhstan's withdrawal reducing Pool B to just Qatar and Australia, the overall format has been slightly adjusted. Matches will now begin Tuesday afternoon, with evening fixtures staged from 7pm at the Isa Bin Rashid Arena in Isa Sports City. For Bahrain, the addition of Al Khabbaz offers timely reinforcement and positional depth, maintaining the team's readiness. The squad's response to training has been focused, and internal morale appears strong. There is quiet confidence within the camp. Hosting the tournament brings added pressure, but also a unique chance to make an impression in front of a home crowd. And with free entry for all fans, Bahrain's players can count on passionate backing throughout the week.
Daily Tribune
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Egypt Dominate Bahrain in Opening Friendly
TDT | Manama Mixed Signals in Cairo Bahrain's men's volleyball team opened their training camp in Egypt with a 4–0 defeat to the hosts in a friendly match at the Dr Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo. The straight-sets loss (25–23, 25–20, 25–18, 25–23) was a challenging start to the side's preparations for the upcoming Asian Men's Volleyball Championship. Though Egypt took control of most sets, Bahrain showed signs of resistance, particularly in the tightly contested first and fourth. Ultimately, the home side's match fitness and home advantage gave them the edge. Setbacks Serve a Purpose The match was the first in a series of tune-ups during Bahrain's training camp, which runs through 12 June. The trip forms a key part of the team's lead-up to the continental tournament, set to be hosted in Bahrain from 17 to 24 June. For Bahrain's coaching staff, this early test provides a reference point. Serve reception, defensive transitions, and match tempo are areas likely to receive focus in the days ahead. Egypt's Edge With their domestic season recently concluded, Egypt looked more polished across key phases. Their consistency and physical presence were evident, especially in the middle sets where they pulled away with minimal resistance. Still, Bahrain's competitiveness in the tighter sets showed the potential for progress. A handful of errors late in the opening and closing sets proved decisive. Focus on Asian Cup More friendlies are expected in the coming days, offering Bahrain a chance to recalibrate. These matches will help fine-tune combinations and build cohesion before the squad returns home for the final phase of preparations. While the result in Cairo wasn't ideal, it came with timing that allows for correction. With the Asian Championship on home soil just weeks away, Bahrain now has a clearer sense of the standard required, and time to meet it.
