The Qatar Men’s Volleyball League looks destined to go down to the wire this time as Al Arabi suffered a rare defeat and champions Al Rayyan warded off El Jaish’s threat.
Arabi, who had not lost a single match in the second phase of the league, suffered a shock 25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 24-26 reverse to Police.
Cashing in on Arabi’s misfortune, arch-rivals and defending champions Al Rayyan overcame a first-set loss to beat Jaish 24-26, 25-17, 25-20, 26-24 and move to the top of the standings for the first time since December.
Rayyan coach Daniele Bagnoli said last Sunday’s results — Rayyan’s victory in four sets and Arabi’s defeat — could be crucial in deciding the champions.
“When we met Jaish in the first phase in January, they beat us in straight sets. Before the start of the match I had told my players that if we could win this match, then we’ve a great chance of winning the League as well. The players responded in a positive manner,” said the Italian, who coached teams like Iranian powerhouse Matin Varamin and Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the past.
With two rounds to go, Rayyan are on top with 49 points. Arabi are second on 48 and Jaish third on 47 as the league title has now become a three-way race.
In Qatar League a team that wins 3-0 and 3-1 gets three points while a 3-2 victory fetches only two points. The losing team is awarded one point.
“Had the match gone to the fifth set, we would’ve got only two points and Jaish would’ve earned one. But my players performed to their strengths and now the momentum is with us. The remaining games against Arabi and Police will be tough. It has come to a do or die situation and being the defending champions, the onus is on us to raise the bar,” Bagnoli added.
Though Al Arabi slipped from the top of the standings, coach Adel Sanoun believes they still have it in them to regain the title.
Arabi have not been able to reproduce the form that saw them win a record 24 league titles. However, in the current season, they have lost just two matches, to El Jaish in the first phase and Police last week.
“We just had an off day. It happens during a long season. But the league title is still very much within our grasp,” said Sanoun, who was Arabi’s coach when they last won the league in 2012.
Rayyan have since usurped their status as the No.1 club in Qatar. Sanoun, who coached Jaish before returning to Arabi last season, said it was time to pay back.
“I’m sure my wards will do it this time. It’s a shoot-out situation now. You win two matches and you’re the champions,” he said.