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Action between Qatar and Kuwait in the GCC Volleyball Championship match at Al Arabi Stadium in Doha yesterday. Hosts Qatar won 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-22) to move to the top of the standings with one match remaining. Qatar will face Bahrain in their final match tomorrow.
DOHA: Hosts Qatar crushed Kuwait 3-0 to move to the top of the standings with one match remaining in the GCC Volleyball Championship, yesterday.
Qatar were impressive as coach Igor Arbutina saw his side win 25-19, 25-22, 25-22 for their third successive victory.
Arbutina’s men, who had beaten Oman and Saudi Arabia in the championship already, proved to be more clinical than their opponents, winning the crucial points.
Supported by a strong home crowd at Al Arabi Stadium in Doha yesterday, both sides cancelled each other out with the score 4-4.
The hosts, watched by Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) President Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi in the stands, had a five-point cushion at 24-19.
Qatar made no mistake of letting the lead slip and later claimed the set 25-19.
In the second set, with both sides giving nothing away, Qatar had a three-point advantage at 11-8.
However, Kuwait pulled themselves together and found themselves one point behind the hosts at 17-16.
At a crucial point in the game, a time-out was called with Qatar leading 24-22. The visitors were unable to reduce the deficit and Qatar saw themselves grab a 2-0 lead.
Kuwait still put up a fight, but Qatar proved to be more clinical and clinched the third set 25-22 and match.
Qatar’s next match is against three-time champions Bahrain tomorrow for the title decider.
Bahrain who had led the standings after their 3-0 victory over Kuwait on Tuesday, were not in action yesterday.
The victory over Kuwait for Bahrain, coached by Nezar Chikili, helped maintain their winning streak in the competition.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia beat Oman 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-17). THE PENINSULA
