MUSCAT: Seeb Club secured an important and thrilling victory over Sohar Club, winning three sets to two in the match held at the main hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, as part of the First Division Volleyball League. The encounter was marked by intensity and competitiveness, with major swings in performance and scorelines, despite Sohar entering the match at the bottom of the standings.
The match unfolded contrary to expectations, as Seeb, the defending champions and one of the leading contenders for the top spot, faced fierce resistance from Sohar’s players, who delivered an impressive performance and showed strong fighting spirit. Their display confirmed that their position in the standings does not truly reflect their real capabilities on the court. Sohar managed to trouble Seeb in more than one set, forcing them into a demanding battle that lasted until the final points.
The match began with clear caution from both sides before Seeb narrowly claimed the first set 27–25, capitalising on their experience in decisive moments. Sohar, however, were not affected by the loss and came back strongly in the second set, imposing their rhythm on the game and taking advantage of some reception errors by Seeb to win the set 26–24.
Sohar’s relative superiority continued in the third set, as their players performed with great confidence and succeeded in unsettling Seeb’s defence while limiting their attacking effectiveness, allowing Sohar to take the set 25–22 in a surprise that ignited the atmosphere in the hall and placed Seeb under real pressure.
At the start of the fourth set, Seeb demonstrated the mentality of champions and the experience of their players in handling difficult situations. They raised the tempo, applied heavy pressure through powerful serves and an effective blocking wall, and dominated the set with a convincing 25–14 win to level the match. In the decisive fifth set, Seeb asserted their superiority clearly, benefiting from their physical edge and extensive experience, closing the set 15–9 to claim a valuable victory after a tough contest against an opponent who fought until the very end.
SECOND DIVISION RACE HEATS UP
In the Second Division Volleyball League, the same round witnessed strong competition within Group Two, resulting in significant changes at the top of the standings. In the headline match of the round, Al Hamra Club earned a valuable victory over Dhank Club, winning three sets to one in a match full of intensity and excitement. Al Hamra managed to assert their dominance in the decisive sets, confirming their strong presence this season and sharing the top spot with Dhank after raising their tally to nine points, while Dhank suffered their first defeat following a series of positive results.
In another match, Bahla Club continued their upward performances and secured their first win of the season by defeating Samayil Club in straight sets. Bahla appeared in a completely different form compared to previous rounds, controlling the course of the match and winning the sets by clear margins, earning their first three points and boosting their chances of improving their position in the standings, while Samayil continued to struggle at the bottom without any points.
The round also saw Al Khabourah Club defeat Sur Club three sets to one in a closely contested match. Al Khabourah managed to prevail in the decisive moments, strengthening their position in third place, while Sur remained fourth despite delivering a solid performance in several phases of the encounter. With these results, the battle for the top of Group Two intensified between Al Hamra and Dhank.
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