JEDDAH, 22 March 2007 — Al-Hilal won the 26th GCC Volleyball Championship for Clubs yesterday after winning their fifth and final match against Al-Muharrag of Bahrain 3-1 in Dubai. This was their second success in the event.
Expressing his happiness, Hilal spiker Yassir Al-Makawni told Arab News on phone from Dubai that, “This gives us more determination to keep the cup and win it for the third time though this edition was the toughest in the Gulf following the inclusion of professional players.”
“The hosts played beautifully but we did our best,” he said. The victory was all the more sweet as we worked hard for it,” said Al-Makawni.
Saleh Al-Qasem, manager of the Saudi team, said. “They really have been impressive and they deserve the title,” he said from Riyadh.
Hilal spikers got a boost by winning the first set 25-19 and that made a big difference. Al-Muharrag came back early in the second, but Hilal showing some fine defense and setting, took the set 25-19. Hilal then breezed past Al-Muharrag in the third 25-15.
Commentators on Saudi sports channel hailed the spirit the boys showed during their game. “This is even better than their earlier performances throughout the championship,” said one of the commentators.
In their earlier matches, Hilal outplayed Al-Arabi of Qatar 3-1 followed by a 3-2 win over Sahar of Oman. Hilal then beat Al-Qadisiya of Kuwait 3-2 and then ousted Al-Nasr of UAE 3-1. After that victory (over Nasr) one of Hilal honorary members donated SR2,000 to each players and promised them SR3, 000 if they won the final. Former skipper Fahad Al-Huraishi also awarded them SR1,000 each.
Al-Muharrag, on the other hand, lost their first match against Al-Qadisiya of Kuwait 3-1. Switching tactics helped them in their second match against Al-Arabi of Qatar 3-2. Boosted by this victory, they won over Al-Nasr of UAE followed by their qualifying match to the final after crushing Sahar of Oman 3-1.
The Saudi delegation was led by Mansour Al-Sharif, and consisted of administrator Ali Hazzazi, coach Muro Meraslav and assistant coach Abdulaziz Al-Qumaizi. The players: Ahmed Al-Bakhet, Yahya Hanash, Yasir Al-Makawni, Khalil Hijji, Muneir Abu Al-Raha, Thamer Al-Doussari, Ibrahim Al-Harbi, Naif Abu Hassoun, Misfir Al-Bishi, Sharif Khalifah, Abdulrahman Badr, and Pro Tunisian Kamal Al-Toumi.
