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Tribune News Network
DOHA
Holders Al Rayyan Club and Police clinched the opening matches in their best-of-three semi-final series at the prestigious Amir Cup Volleyball Championship at the QVA Indoor Hall on Wednesday.
The 13 time-time winners and reigning double Arab Club Championship champions Al Rayyan Club had to exploit every bit of their experience before posting a fighting 21-25 25-23 25-22 28-26 victory over Al Arabi Club, the champions on 21 occasions.
QVA League champions and Arab clubs bronze medallists Police raised vision of their first final after four years when they posted a tough but straight-set 25-22 26-24 25-19 triumph over last year’s runners-up Al Ahli Club in 77 minutes.
In the 2013-14, Police, coached by Damiano Arredendo, had made their fourth and last appearance in the final and lost to Al Arabi. But for a couple of seasons, Police have been very consistent and productive, with their performances speaking louder than words.
During their victory over Al Ahli, Police’s professional players Evandro Guerra (Brazil), Willner Rivas (Venezuela) and captain John Chigbo collected the majority of the points. Guerra had 22, including 19 kills, outside hitter Rivas earned 11 with three aces and Chigbo’s 10 had two blocks. Willner was adjudged the best player of the match as well.
For the Igor Arbutina-coached Al Ahli, Brazilian professional Rafael Araujo 22 points, which included four blocks. Polish Bartlomiej Lipinski added 13.
Defending champions and double Arab club championship winners Al Rayyan Club faced tough time. After losing the opening set to Al Arabi, they had to mount big rallies in the third and fourth sets before they could wipe out four-point deficit and win the one-hour, 53-minute cliff-hanger.
Professional players Kamil Rychlicki and Sam Deroo gained 47 points between them to lift Al Rayya Club to a 1-0 lead. Rychlicki fired 21 kills out of his 24 points, while newcomer Belgian Deroo contributed 23, including 18 off smashes. Marcus Costa also excelled and supported with nine points.
For Al Arabi, who are expected to hit back in the second match, had Matey Kaziyski leading them with 25 points, including four blocks. Tonsic Stern netted 23, which had five points off his serves. Renan Rebeiro got eight and some more help from other teammates would have inspired Al Arabi to put up a better show.resultsAmir Cup v’ball semi-finals
(best-of-three series)
Police beat Al Ahli Club 25-22 26-24 25-19 in one hour & 17 minutes
(Police lead 1-0)
Al Rayyan Club beat Al Arabi Club 21-25 25-23 25-22 28-26 in one hour & 53 minutes
(Al Rayyan lead 1-0)
DOHA
Holders Al Rayyan Club and Police clinched the opening matches in their best-of-three semi-final series at the prestigious Amir Cup Volleyball Championship at the QVA Indoor Hall on Wednesday.
The 13 time-time winners and reigning double Arab Club Championship champions Al Rayyan Club had to exploit every bit of their experience before posting a fighting 21-25 25-23 25-22 28-26 victory over Al Arabi Club, the champions on 21 occasions.
QVA League champions and Arab clubs bronze medallists Police raised vision of their first final after four years when they posted a tough but straight-set 25-22 26-24 25-19 triumph over last year’s runners-up Al Ahli Club in 77 minutes.
In the 2013-14, Police, coached by Damiano Arredendo, had made their fourth and last appearance in the final and lost to Al Arabi. But for a couple of seasons, Police have been very consistent and productive, with their performances speaking louder than words.
During their victory over Al Ahli, Police’s professional players Evandro Guerra (Brazil), Willner Rivas (Venezuela) and captain John Chigbo collected the majority of the points. Guerra had 22, including 19 kills, outside hitter Rivas earned 11 with three aces and Chigbo’s 10 had two blocks. Willner was adjudged the best player of the match as well.
For the Igor Arbutina-coached Al Ahli, Brazilian professional Rafael Araujo 22 points, which included four blocks. Polish Bartlomiej Lipinski added 13.
Defending champions and double Arab club championship winners Al Rayyan Club faced tough time. After losing the opening set to Al Arabi, they had to mount big rallies in the third and fourth sets before they could wipe out four-point deficit and win the one-hour, 53-minute cliff-hanger.
Professional players Kamil Rychlicki and Sam Deroo gained 47 points between them to lift Al Rayya Club to a 1-0 lead. Rychlicki fired 21 kills out of his 24 points, while newcomer Belgian Deroo contributed 23, including 18 off smashes. Marcus Costa also excelled and supported with nine points.
For Al Arabi, who are expected to hit back in the second match, had Matey Kaziyski leading them with 25 points, including four blocks. Tonsic Stern netted 23, which had five points off his serves. Renan Rebeiro got eight and some more help from other teammates would have inspired Al Arabi to put up a better show.resultsAmir Cup v’ball semi-finals
(best-of-three series)
Police beat Al Ahli Club 25-22 26-24 25-19 in one hour & 17 minutes
(Police lead 1-0)
Al Rayyan Club beat Al Arabi Club 21-25 25-23 25-22 28-26 in one hour & 53 minutes
(Al Rayyan lead 1-0)
