Former champions Al Rayyan beat Al Gharafa 25-19, 25-18, 25-21 for their second win in as many outings in the Qatar League. Rayyan, who beat Al Wakrah in the lung opener, continued from where they had left off and did not give their opponents any chance in the match played at the Al Arabi Indoor Hall.
Rayyan, who lost to arch-rivals Al Arabi in the one-off Super Cup match, have made many changes to the team. The return of Cuban professional Yosleider Cala has reinvigorated the Rayyan ranks and it was evident against Gharafa, who found him a tough nut to crack.
Together with Qatar international Mubarak Dahi Waleed, Cala made inroads into the Gharafa defence which was in shambles throughout.
Gharafa’s Iraqi coach Nadhem Ali constantly egged his wards on from the sidelines, but it was to no avail as Rayyan spikers fired on all cylinders. Meanwhile, Al Shamal opened their account by stunning Al Ahli 29-27, 25-18, 24-26, 25-18. After suffering a solid thrashing at the hands of Qatar SC in the opening encounter, Shamal, coached by former Al Arabi boss Adel Sanoun, got their act together as they rose to beat a formidable Ahli.
* Doha Stadium Plus