Thailand test first for Bahrain's bid
Bahrain, buoyed by their Arab Championship success last year, return to the court with renewed confidence. They face a tough challenge from a Thai side that has previously claimed the Nations Cup title and continues to be a force in Asian volleyball.
The Squad
Led by French head coach Arnaud Josserand, Bahrain have spent the last few weeks improving their form—first in Cairo during a focused training camp, and more recently with twice-daily sessions at home. The 14-player squad includes: Mohammed Yaqoob, Naser Anan, Ali Ebrahim, Mahmood Alafyah, and Ayman Harwana, while the rest of the team includes Abbas Al Khabbaz, Hussain Mansoor, Sayed Hashem Isa, Mahmoud Abdulwahed, Mohammed Jassim, Mohammed Anan, Hasan Al Warqaa, Hani Ali, and Abbas Sultan.
Tournament Format
Tonight's fixture is the first of two group games for Bahrain, who face Indonesia at the same time tomorrow. The group stage is being played in a round-robin format, with only the top two teams from each of the four pools advancing to the quarter-finals.
Matches are spread across three days, with pool play concluding on Thursday. Bahrain's pool rivals, Thailand and Indonesia, are ranked 63rd and 54th in the world respectively, compared to Bahrain's 65th, making this one of the most evenly matched groups in the tournament.
The eventual winners will qualify for the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship, which serves as the pathway to both the 2027 FIVB World Championship and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Home Advantage to Harness
Bahrain's players will be counting on a strong home crowd to lift them throughout the week. Entry to all matches is free of charge, with organisers aiming to create a lively and supportive atmosphere that reflects the country's growing passion for volleyball.
With their sights set on a deep run and a shot at continental success, Bahrain's journey begins tonight, with Thailand standing directly in their path.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Al Hilal Stuns Man City And Stirs The World: ‘One Of The Greatest Nights In Saudi Club Football'
Al Hilal's stunning 4-3 extra-time victory over English powerhouse Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup sent shockwaves through global football, but for seasoned followers of Asian football and the Roshn Saudi League, it felt like a long-overdue statement on the world stage. The Riyadh giants, who boast a record number of AFC Champions League titles, pulled off one of the most remarkable results in the competition's history Monday night in Orlando. With goals from Marcos Leonardo (2), Malcom, and Kalidou Koulibaly, Al Hilal outlasted the reigning UEFA Champions League winners in a pulsating round-of-16 clash. Al Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi praised his squad's heart and tactical discipline, declaring: 'The key to this result are the players, the heart they put on the pitch. Tonight, we had to do something extraordinary because we knew how good Manchester City are. We knew we had to climb Mount Everest without oxygen and we were great.' He added: 'We played with strong determination. They deserved it. They fought for every ball, and it gives satisfaction to the family of Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia, and the fans here with us.' Senegalese center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who nodded home Al Hilal's third goal in extra time, said: 'We knew it would be a difficult game against one of the best teams in the world and we wanted to show our ideas, our talents, and our power. We took our chances, and we can be happy.' Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo, the match's two-goal hero, delivered an emotional tribute: 'I've had a difficult time in the last two months. My mother spent 70 days in the ICU. Today she's fine, thank God. When I scored those two goals, I thought of her — she was able to watch the match. If they weren't watching, I wouldn't be here today.' While international media hailed the result as 'a shock,' it was instead a confirmation for Saudi football insiders: Al Hilal are not just participants — they're contenders. With the Saudi Pro League investing heavily in infrastructure, player development, and global talent, Monday night's victory underscored the Kingdom's ambitions to become a serious force in world football.
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Man City crush Juventus, Vinicius shines as Real Madrid advance
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City demonstrated their Club World Cup credentials with a 5-2 victory over Juventus on Thursday while Vinicius Junior starred as Real Madrid beat Salzburg 3-0 to secure a spot in the last 16. Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia beat Pachuca of Mexico 2-0 to pip Salzburg to the last berth in the knockout phase, as Al Ain battled to a 2-1 win over Wydad Casablanca in the day's o t h e r game. City became the only side at the tournament to win all three of their group matches as they put Juventus to the sword in front of 54,320 at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando. City now face Al Hilal, the only Asian repre - sentative in the next round after goals from Salem Al-Dawsari and Brazilian Marcos Leonardo against Pachuca. 'We played well and I'm happy with the victory,' said City winger Jeremy Doku, who opened the scoring. Doku pounced for the early opener after new arrival Rayan Ait Nouri set him up with a clever ball. However City stopper Ederson passed the ball straight to Teun Koopmeiners who levelled for Juventus, in one of the few moments in which Guardiola's team let their focus slip. Pierre Kalulu bundled into his own net from Matheus Nunes' cross to restore City's lead. The Premier League side, hoping to make up for a poor season by their standards in which they finished without a major trophy, stepped up a level after the break with Erling Haaland's introduction. The Norwegian striker tapped home the third and then helped create the fourth for Phil Foden, before Savinho smashed home from distance for the fifth. Dusan Vlahovic netted late on for Juve but it did not take the shine off an impressive triumph for City, who were able to give holding midfielder Rodri a first start after his long injury lay-off. 'Manchester City have a lot better (quality of ) players than us, that's the truth, that needs to be acknowledged,' said Juventus coach Igor Tudor as his side finished second in Group G. 'The stars didn't align for us to play better tonight.' Al Ain got the better of Wydad in Washington, DC in a meeting of two teams who were already eliminated but were hoping to sign off with a victory. South African striker Cassius Mailula blasted the Moroccans into an early lead but Togo international Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba levelled from the spot just before the break for Al Ain. That was their first goal of the tournament after 5-0 and 6-0 thrashings by Juve and City respectively, and Paraguayan international Alejandro Romero curled home from the edge of the box to earn the team from the United Arab Emirates victory. Vinicius stars in Madrid win Vinicius scored one goal and made another with a touch of class as Madrid saw off Salzburg in Philadelphia to clinch top spot in Group H. Real play Juventus in the last 16 in Miami on Tuesday. The Brazil star Vinicius opened the scoring after a superb defence-splitting pass by Jude Bellingham on 40 minutes, to the delight of the vast majority of the 64,811 crowd on a rainy night at Lincoln Financial Field. Vinicius then set up Federico Valverde with a clever backheel to make it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time. Young striker Gonzalo Garcia ran through to wrap up the win late on with his second goal of the tournament, as Xabi Alonso's team end the first round of FIFA's new tournament unbeaten. 'I am pleased with the boys, and now the interesting phase begins,' Alonso told broadcaster DAZN. Real were once again without top scorer Kylian Mbappe, who has yet to play at the tournament as he recovers from illness. 'We thought Kylian would make it and it wasn't to be. Now we have four days and I want to be optimistic but cautious at the same time,' Alonso said.
Daily Tribune
25-06-2025
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain push Serbia close in spirited showing
Bahrain put in their strongest performance yet at the 2025 IHF Men's Junior World Championship but lost to Serbia 36–32 in their final group game of the President's Cup in Poland. With both teams out of contention for the main round, Serbia were eyeing a clean sweep in the group to book a spot in the 17–20 placement matches. Bahrain, however, had other plans. After a disappointing showing against Tunisia earlier in the week, the Asian side came out with renewed intensity. Early Fightback Not Enough Serbia's experience showed in the opening minutes, but Bahrain responded with a 5:1 run to take an early 8–6 lead. However, they couldn't hold it. Serbia's 6:1 surge swung momentum back their way as they built a 21–15 cushion by halftime—the biggest lead of the match. Vukašin Antonijevic and Radan Kovacevic combined for 14 goals for Serbia, but Bahrain refused to fade. Abdulla Stands Out Mohamed Abdulla, later named Player of the Match, led Bahrain's charge with nine goals, supported by Elias Ali's 10. A 6:1 Bahrain run midway through the second half brought them within two goals at 27–25, setting up a tense final quarter-hour. But Serbia's depth told in the end, as they held firm to secure a four-goal victory and top the group. Elsewhere in President's Cup In the other group match, Tunisia beat Saudi Arabia 35–31 to seal second place and move on to the 21–24 placement bracket. After trailing early, Tunisia's superior shooting accuracy—84% up to the 53rd minute— proved decisive. Iskander Jafali led the scoring, while Koussay Ben Fraj earned Player of the Match honours. Saudi Arabia, still winless, will now head to the 25–28 placement matches.
