Al Rayyan Club started from where they had left last season. The reigning Emir Cup winners launched the new Qatar Volleyball Association season with an inspiring 3-1 victory over Police to lift the Super Cup here on Friday.
They lost the opening set but rallied back spiritedly to post a 20-25 25-23 25-22 25-23 victory against favourites and current League champions, who were short-handed, playing with only nine players.
The features of Al Rayyan’s first Super Cup victory in four attempts were their better service and defence, besides their bench strength rising to the occasion. The real test for Al Rayyan Club came in the fourth set which Police had to survive.
Police controlled the flow and opened a gap of two and three points constantly before they were caught up at 18 by Al Rayyan. They went neck and neck till 22-22, with suspense getting thicker and thicker.
Then Police setter Bobi produced a trademark flick to put his team 23-22 up. However, Hernandez fired a spike to negate the advantage. Then Danish professional Mads Ditlevsen hammered the ball out from right side, leaving Al Rayyan Club with a point to win the title.
Ivan Borounjak arched his back and unleashed a kill to seal the triumph for Al Rayyan. This was the first time that they claimed the prestigious title, having suffered defeat at the hands of Al Arabi in all the three previous appearances.
Al Rayyan coach Carlos Schwanke was extremely pleased with the winning start to the season. “We’d worked very hard for this match. We were not sure of our level, compared to Police, who are a difficult side. We lost the opening set but controlled our nerves and the game later.
“The keys to the victory were our superb serves and defence. Besides, all the players, especially the bench strength, put up a good show and solid team work. This will be a good confidence-booster for the League,” he added.
Al Rayyan manager Ali Ishaq, also a former club player, lavished praise on the team for its fighting qualities. “Police are not an easy team but we raised our level brilliantly. The core group was fantastic but the bench players also contributed and made the winning difference.
“We played with 12 players, while Police had lesser number of players. This factor tilted the balance in our favour,” said Ishaq.
Newcomer Borunjak, who shared 32 points with attacker Marcus, said, “I’m very happy that we won the title in the first event of the season. Police played very well within their resources. We also came up with a strong performance.
“I’m new to the team and we need more time to understand one another. There are certain areas in which we must work harder and this will help us in the upcoming QVA League,” the Serbian added.
Faye, who was the third highest scorer with 14 and was followed by Hernandez (13), was thrilled as he came up with power-packed blows off short balls in the middle to throw the Police defence into disarray. “This is the first time that we were able to take home the Super Cup. We’re very excited about it. I’m happy that I could do my job at the net well.
“We hope to carry forward this momentum in the League and will try to do much better this time,” the tall player added.
For Police, Ditlevsen was the highest scorer of the match, securing 21 points. Nadir Abu Bakr netted 17. Neto managed nine and Vantislav had seven.
النتائج
Al Rayyan Club beat Police 23-25 25-23 25-23 25-23 in one hour and 49 minutes
Teams

Al Rayyan Club
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Ivan Borounjak, Hernandez, Marcus, Milos Stevanovic, Belal Abu Nabout, Mubarak Dahi Waleed, Rahimi Wadidi, Bairama Faye, Andre Luiz, Milos Nikic, Suliman (L), Ahmed.
Head coach: Carlos Schwanke; Assistant coach: Toufik Benmessedak.
الشرطة
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Bobi, Mads Ditlevsen, Moses, Vantislav, John Chigbo, Neto, Nadir Abu Bakr, Elakar.
Head coach: Damian Arredondo; Assistant coach: Pablo Gianelli