Geraldo (30) and Tine Urnaut secured a total of 50 points and powered Al Ahli Club to an upset win over Police in the quarter-finals of the prestigious Emir Cup Volleyball Championship on Sunday.
At the Qatar Volleyball Association Indoor Hall, the 1987-87 champions Al Ahli Club put up a sharper offence against the QVA League runners-up Police and took all the three sets into extra points before prevailing 30-28, 33-31, 26-24 in 98 minutes.
Geraldo dominated the match and collected a huge 30 points. His 23 points, which included six blocks, came off the net play. Slovenian national team player Urnaut proved a perfect foil for him and added 20 points.
Alaoui also provided a commendable support to Al Ahli, the four-time finalists, as he garnered 11 points to tilt the balance in his team’s favour during crucial times.
Al Ahli Club’s reception was better than four-time finalists Police’s (51 to 43 percent). The errors difference of 2-8 in favour of Al Ahli proved a major advantage in the final analysis.
Mads Ditlevsen was the main attacker for Police and reeled off 22 points, with 20 off the attack. Neto and Nadir Abubakr could add only nine each. Vantislav and John Chigbo got seven and six, respectively.
In another match, nine-time finalists Qatar Sports Club reversed the 1-2 deficit before beating a plucky Al Shamal Club in five sets in 116 minutes (25-22 19-25, 28-30, 25-20, 15-12).
Qatar Sports Club, who won the title on four occasions, fell 1-2 behind with Henrique, Ilija and Janko spiking the ball quite cleanly. However, Qatar Sports Club staged a big recovery and led in the fourth set throughout before knotting the set scores at 2-2.
In the tie-breaker, Qatar Sports Club went first 5-3 up and increased the advantage to 10-8. Al Shamal forged 12-11 ahead but Qatar Sports Club hit back before wrapping up the set and the match.
Yousef excelled at the net and gained 24 points for the winners. The vital support came was provided by Sofian Hussein and Pape, who notched up 16 points each. Osman also added nine.
For Al Shamal Club, Henrique logged 27 points. He was followed by Ilija (20) and Janko (14).
النتائج
Qatar Sports Club beat Al Shamal Club 25-22 19-25, 28-30, 25-20, 15-12 in 116 minutes
Al Ahli Club beat Police 30-28, 33-31, 26-24 in 98 minutes