MUSCAT: The Oman national men’s volleyball team suffered its second consecutive loss in the West Asia Championship, falling to Saudi Arabia in straight sets (3-0) during the third and final group stage match held at Isa Bin Rashid Hall in Riffa, Bahrain.
Despite a strong technical display from both sides, individual errors and missed opportunities at crucial moments tipped the match in favor of the Saudi team.
Oman started the match with a balanced performance and led the first set 16-13, thanks to standout plays by Mahmood al Saadi. However, Saudi Arabia managed to turn the tide and took the set 25-22.
The second set saw Oman come out with greater cohesion and fighting spirit. The team dictated the pace through quick defensive blocks by Al Maamari and Al Haidi, and accurate passes from Al Muqbali, establishing a solid lead. However, a lapse in focus and errors in serve and defensive coverage allowed Saudi Arabia to come back and narrowly win the set 25-23, despite Al Saadi’s efforts to reclaim the lead.
The third set was the most competitive, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. Oman responded to an early Saudi advantage with focused attacks from Al Haidi and Al Saadi, and the introduction of Abdullah al Shibli added strength in short-ball plays. However, offensive mistakes in the final moments gave Saudi Arabia the edge, winning the set 28-26 and sealing the match 3-0.
Oman scored a total of 71 points in the match, committed 19 unforced errors, delivered 6 aces, and executed 9 blocks. Mahmood al Saadi was the top scorer of the match with 22 points.
Head coach Reza Hossein expressed his regret over the loss, stating that the team delivered a strong performance across the board we faced a well-organized opponent with experienced players. We were a strong match for them, but we lacked decisiveness in the final points. I’m proud of the players’ spirit, and I take full responsibility for the result. We will work hard to get back on track before the next match.
Mahmood al Saadi, Oman’s top scorer in the match, said I gave everything I had in this crucial match, trying to be a real offensive and moral asset to the team. From the very first point, I knew it would be tough, but I took responsibility as an attacker and tried to motivate my teammates. We had a good lead in the first set and I tried to extend it with powerful spikes, but our reception dropped and individual errors increased, which made things harder. This loss is painful, but it will be a valuable lesson, and I will do my best to come back stronger.
DECISIVE MATCH AGAINST UAE
Oman is now preparing for a decisive quarterfinal match against the United Arab Emirates, scheduled for Wednesday at 4:00 pm Muscat time. The knockout-stage encounter is a must-win opportunity for the team to rebound after consecutive losses to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
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