Oman fall to Qatar in West Asia volleyball championship
Published: 06:07 PM,Jul 21,2025 | EDITED : 10:07 PM,Jul 21,2025
Despite the loss, Oman still has a chance to recover in upcoming matches
MUSCAT: Oman’s national men’s volleyball team lost to Qatar 3 sets to 1 in their second match of the West Asia Championship, held at the Isa Bin Rashid Hall in Riffa, Kingdom of Bahrain. The match featured clear technical fluctuations, with Oman shining in the third set before Qatar sealed the win with more consistent performance.
The Red Warriors started the match energetically, taking an early 4-0 lead thanks to strong performances from Al Juradi and Al Maamari. However, Qatar quickly regained balance, capitalising on defensive errors and poor reception to win the first set 25-19.
In the second set, the Qatari team fully dictated the pace. They appeared more organised and composed, while Oman struggled with focus and accuracy in passes and spikes, despite individual efforts from Ismail al Hidi and Saud al Maamari. Oman dropped the set 25-16.
The third set saw Oman’s best performance of the match. The players entered with determination, showing clear intent to mount a comeback. Ismail al Hidi stood out with several powerful spikes, while Younis al Amri and Saud al Maamari’s movements helped establish a 23-21 lead. At the crucial point, Al Hidi returned to seal the set for Oman at 25-23, reviving hopes for a comeback.
Despite a promising start to the fourth set, with Mahmoud al Saadi scoring the opening point followed by a strong shot from Al Maamari, individual errors re-emerged, especially in reception and backcourt coverage. This gave the Qataris the edge to regain control. As Oman lost focus midway through the set, Qatar widened the gap and closed the set 25-14, winning the match 3-1.
Statistically, Oman scored a total of 79 points, committed 23 unforced errors, missed 6 serves, and registered 7 blocks. The standout performer for Oman was Ismail Al-Hidi, who scored 26 points (24 attack, 1 serve, 1 block) and was named Best Player of the Match despite the defeat.
After the match, Ismail al Hidi, a player for the national team, confirmed that the team had played an ideal third half and had come close to a comeback, but that the physical decline and lack of concentration in the fourth half had a significant impact. He added that he had tried to give the team a morale boost through his offensive performance, while also emphasising that the team still had much to offer in the tournament Mohammed al Muqbali acknowledged Qatar’s strength, saying, We faced a very organised team. Small details made the difference. We must move past this loss and prepare for what’s next.
Younis al Amri noted the team’s improvement in the third set but admitted the loss of focus afterwards. The tournament is still in its early stages. We’ll correct our mistakes and come back better.
Despite the loss, Oman still has a chance to recover in upcoming matches. The technical staff and players have pledged to work hard to fix their mistakes and return to winning ways, relying on their fighting spirit and the promising young talents who showed great potential during the match.
The Red Warriors started the match energetically, taking an early 4-0 lead thanks to strong performances from Al Juradi and Al Maamari. However, Qatar quickly regained balance, capitalising on defensive errors and poor reception to win the first set 25-19.
In the second set, the Qatari team fully dictated the pace. They appeared more organised and composed, while Oman struggled with focus and accuracy in passes and spikes, despite individual efforts from Ismail al Hidi and Saud al Maamari. Oman dropped the set 25-16.
The third set saw Oman’s best performance of the match. The players entered with determination, showing clear intent to mount a comeback. Ismail al Hidi stood out with several powerful spikes, while Younis al Amri and Saud al Maamari’s movements helped establish a 23-21 lead. At the crucial point, Al Hidi returned to seal the set for Oman at 25-23, reviving hopes for a comeback.
Despite a promising start to the fourth set, with Mahmoud al Saadi scoring the opening point followed by a strong shot from Al Maamari, individual errors re-emerged, especially in reception and backcourt coverage. This gave the Qataris the edge to regain control. As Oman lost focus midway through the set, Qatar widened the gap and closed the set 25-14, winning the match 3-1.
Statistically, Oman scored a total of 79 points, committed 23 unforced errors, missed 6 serves, and registered 7 blocks. The standout performer for Oman was Ismail Al-Hidi, who scored 26 points (24 attack, 1 serve, 1 block) and was named Best Player of the Match despite the defeat.
After the match, Ismail al Hidi, a player for the national team, confirmed that the team had played an ideal third half and had come close to a comeback, but that the physical decline and lack of concentration in the fourth half had a significant impact. He added that he had tried to give the team a morale boost through his offensive performance, while also emphasising that the team still had much to offer in the tournament Mohammed al Muqbali acknowledged Qatar’s strength, saying, We faced a very organised team. Small details made the difference. We must move past this loss and prepare for what’s next.
Younis al Amri noted the team’s improvement in the third set but admitted the loss of focus afterwards. The tournament is still in its early stages. We’ll correct our mistakes and come back better.
Despite the loss, Oman still has a chance to recover in upcoming matches. The technical staff and players have pledged to work hard to fix their mistakes and return to winning ways, relying on their fighting spirit and the promising young talents who showed great potential during the match.