Muscat, April 22
Seeb Club claimed a deserved victory over Al Bashayer in straight sets (3-0) in the first leg of the First Division Volleyball League semifinals at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher on Monday.
The game began with a balanced rhythm as Al Bashayer opened the scoring through their professional player Islam. Seeb quickly responded via Bogdan, but Islam restored Al Bashayer’s lead. Saud al Maamari then levelled the score for Seeb. The teams continued exchanging points until Bogdan scored twice in a row, putting Seeb ahead 4-2. Saud added another point, but Al Bashayer managed to narrow the gap before Russian player Artem scored for Seeb.
A serving error by Saud allowed Al Bashayer to close in, and Saman equalised at 6-6. As the intensity built, Ahmed al Toubi and Saud al Muqbali added back-to-back points for Seeb. The teams remained neck and neck, reaching a 23-23 tie. Bogdan put Seeb ahead, Saman responded, and Mazen gave Al Bashayer a 26-25 lead. However, Bogdan equalised again, Saud gave Seeb the edge, and a serving error by Islam handed Seeb the set 28-26.
In the second set, Al Bashayer started strong, but Seeb quickly bounced back with Saud scoring, followed by three consecutive points from Bogdan and Saud, making it 3-1. Al Bashayer tried to catch up through Mazen, but Artem responded with a powerful point. Islam scored for Al Bashayer, but Seeb maintained control, capitalising on repeated service errors from Al Bashayer and excelling in their blocking game.
Despite efforts by Haitham al Shaqsi to close the gap, service errors especially from Islam allowed Seeb to maintain a 16-14 lead. Al Bashayer fought back to level the set at 25-25. Bogdan then scored for Seeb, but a service error by Artem let Al Bashayer equalise. Still, Saud and Artem sealed the set 28-26 for Seeb.
Saud opened the third set with a point, answered by Islam. Seeb, however, quickly extended their lead to 3-1 through Saud and Bogdan. With organised play and Al Bashayer showing signs of decline, Seeb surged to a 15-9 advantage. Saud and Artem stretched the lead further, despite Islam’s attempts to bring Al Bashayer back. Ultimately, Seeb closed the set and match convincingly at 25-16.
AL SALAM EDGE MAJEES
Al Salam took a big step toward reaching the First Division Volleyball League final after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Majees in the first leg of the semifinals, held at Sohar Sports Complex.
Set scores were: 25-21, 18-25, 23-25, 27-25, 20-18.
The match was marked by high intensity and fierce competition. Majees started strong, taking the first set by four points. However, Al Salam responded impressively in the second and third sets, led by standout performances from Mohammed Yaqoob and their foreign professional, putting them ahead two sets to one.
In the fourth set, Majees’ foreign duo from Pakistan and Cameroon stepped up, helping their team recover and win the set after a dramatic tie. Yet Al Salam managed to edge out the decisive fifth set with a narrow 20-18 win, bringing them closer to a spot in the championship final.
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