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Observer
3 days ago
- Sport
- Observer
Oman fall to Qatar in West Asia semifinals
MUSCAT: Oman's national volleyball team saw their dream of reaching the final of the West Asian Men's Championship come to an end after suffering a straight-sets defeat to Qatar in the semifinals. The match was held at the Isa Bin Rashid Hall in Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. The encounter was marked by clear dominance from the Qatari side, who capitalised on Oman's errors especially in serving and blocking to claim victory with set scores of 25-18, 25-19, and 25-20. STRONG START BY QATAR, SCATTERED OMANI RESISTANCE Qatar began the match with high intensity, setting the tempo both offensively and defensively. With a well-organised block and effective backline coverage, they quickly exposed Oman's weaknesses, particularly in serve reception and missed serves. Despite individual efforts from Ismail al Haidy, Mahmood al Saadi, and Younis al Amri, the first set went to Qatar 25-18. In the second set, Oman showed clearer intent to recover and improve. The introduction of Adam al Juradi injected some energy into the team, helping Oman level the score at 11-11. However, Qatar regained control through cohesive play and effective counterattacks, eventually taking the set 25-19. The third set began on a relatively even footing, with the score tied at 2-2 before Mohammed al Muqbali put Oman ahead briefly. Yet, a service error from Yousuf al Shukeili allowed Qatar to equalise, and from there they gradually took over, exploiting Oman's poor receptions. Qatar sealed the set 25-20 and the match 3-0. STATS HIGHLIGHT THE GAP Match statistics underscored the disparity between the two sides. Qatar scored a total of 75 points to Oman's 57, committing only 15 errors compared to Oman's 25. Qatar registered two direct service aces, while Oman failed to record any, and committed 10 service errors compared to Qatar's six. In blocking, Qatar recorded 11 points to Oman's six. Individually, Qatar's Youssef Jalaf stood out with 14 points (12 from spikes and two from blocks), while Oman's top scorer, Ismail al Haidy, managed only 11 points and committed five errors. BAHRAIN BOOK FINAL SPOT In the other semifinal, Bahrain secured their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia. Despite losing the first set 28-26, Bahrain rallied to win the next three sets 25-16, 25-22, and 25-22. They will now face Qatar in the final. Iranian coach Reza Hossein Vakeeli expressed disappointment with the outcome, stating that the team failed to deliver the expected performance and that both individual and tactical errors cost them a place in the final. Qatar played very well and deserved to win, said Vakeeli. But we made many mistakes, especially in serving and reception.
Observer
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman thrash Kuwait in West Asia volley tourney
MUSCAT: The Oman national men's volleyball team began its historic participation in the West Asia Men's Volleyball Championship with a well-deserved and exciting straight-sets victory (3-0) over Kuwait. The match took place at the Isa Bin Rashid Hall in the Bahraini capital, Manama, as part of Group B competition in the championship, which continues until July 27 with the participation of eight teams from the West Asia region. From the outset, Oman displayed a disciplined and cohesive performance, asserting dominance throughout most of the match while executing head coach Reza Hossein Vakili's tactical instructions effectively. The Iranian coach's thorough preparation was evident in the team's impressive continental debut. The Omani team is now preparing for a challenging match on Monday against Saudi Arabia Despite Kuwait's strong start and early lead in the first set, the Omani players entered the court with visible confidence. As the set neared its decisive moments, Oman regained control, relying on powerful back-row attacks and improved service and reception to clinch the set 25-23. The second set saw complete Omani superiority. The team excelled in blocking and powerful serves, coupled with varied offensive plays that unsettled the Kuwaiti side, who struggled to match Oman's high tempo. Oman won the set with a wide margin, 25-15. In the third set, Kuwait attempted a comeback and delivered a more composed performance. However, Oman maintained its rhythm through tactical discipline and composure under pressure. After several lead exchanges, the Omani players sealed the set 25-23, completing a straight-sets win. Oman team recorded five aces and scored 10 points through blocks Oman scored a total of 75 points in the match, committing only 12 errors. The team recorded five aces and scored 10 points through blocks, reflecting a balanced performance on both offence and defence. Star player Ismail al Haidy stood out, earning the 'Best Player of the Match' award after scoring 13 points, 11 from attacks, one ace, and one block, affirming his role as a key contributor to the victory. The Omani team is now preparing for a challenging match today, Monday, against Saudi Arabia in the third round of group-stage matches. Buoyed by their opening victory, Oman aims to build momentum, while Saudi Arabia is looking to bounce back from a straight-sets defeat to Qatar, adding urgency to the encounter for both sides. Oman regained control, relying on powerful back-row attacks and improved service and reception to clinch the set 25-23 Coach Reza Hossein acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match against Saudi Arabia, despite previously playing friendlies against them. Mental focus is the key to winning these types of matches, he noted. We've prepared the players well and are working seriously to achieve a positive result against one of the top contenders. The first round of the tournament was marked by Gulf dominance, with the UAE beating Jordan, Bahrain defeating Lebanon, Oman overcoming Kuwait, and Qatar overpowering Saudi Arabia all by straight sets (3-0). This trend highlights the strength of Gulf teams in this edition and sets the stage for fierce battles ahead in the race toward the semifinals.
