MUSCAT: Oman’s men’s national volleyball team secured their third successive victory at the 24th Arab Men’s Volleyball Championship, coming from a set down to defeat Kuwait 3-1 at the Arena Hall in Amman on Friday, October 9.
The 17-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-23 victory maintained Oman’s unbeaten record and took their tally to eight points from three matches, strengthening their position in the title race ahead of Sunday’s encounter with hosts Jordan.
Kuwait made the stronger start, taking the opening set 25-17 and leaving Oman needing to recover from an early setback.
Oman responded in the second set, improving their attacking and defensive organisation to win 25-20 and level the match. They maintained that advantage in the third, taking it by the same score to move into a 2-1 lead.
The fourth set was more closely contested, with Kuwait seeking to force a decider. Oman held their nerve in the closing stages to prevail 25-23, completing another comeback victory and preserving their winning start.
The result followed a 3-1 opening win over Algeria and a five-set success against Saudi Arabia. Across the three encounters, Oman have demonstrated their ability to recover after losing sets and deliver under pressure, particularly in the deciding set against the Saudis.
OMAN LEAD STANDINGS
At the close of Friday’s matches, Oman led the standings with eight points, followed by Bahrain on six from two victories. Saudi Arabia had four points and Algeria three, while Kuwait and Jordan remained without points.
Oman next face Jordan on Sunday, October 11, at 6 pm (Oman time), seeking a fourth consecutive win before their final fixture against Bahrain on Wednesday, October 14.
Abdullah al Maqbali said the three victories reflected the collective effort behind Oman’s preparations and provided encouragement for the remaining matches.
“The wins against Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait give us a major boost to continue our campaign,” he said.
“The matches were not easy, but team spirit, cooperation between the players and following the coaching staff’s instructions helped us achieve the results we wanted.”
Al Maqbali expects a demanding encounter against Jordan, with the hosts enjoying home support.
“We know the Jordan match will be difficult, but we respect every opponent and have confidence in our abilities,” he said. “Our target is a fourth win, and we will approach every set and every point with full concentration.”
The six-team championship features Oman, Jordan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain in a single round-robin competition. The final standings determine the champions and medal winners, giving Oman’s remaining two fixtures direct importance in the battle for the Arab title.
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