AL-AHLI SPORT CLUB COME BACK TO BEAT JAKARTA BHAYANGKARA PRESISI IN EPIC TIE-BREAKER FOR FIRST WIN AT ASIAN MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

Manama, Bahrain, May 14, 2023 – Embattled Al-Ahli Sport Club produced a fantastic comeback to beat Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi in hard-fought five-set thriller 26-28, 25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 15-6 for first win in the 2023 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship in their opening Pool A match at Issa Bin Rashed Hall 1 on Sunday.

Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi fielded a strong line-up led by powerful Iranian Javad Manavinezhad and Okello from Uganda to beat the hosts club of Al-Ahli Sport Club 28-26 in the first set, thanks to their excellent teamwork and solid defense.

In the second set, both teams were levelled at 23-23 from the very first moment. However, Ahan Mohammad saved the day for home side when he produced huge blocks to close the set 25-23 to revive the hope of the home fans for a 1-1 tie.

Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi took an early 6-3 lead in the third set, forcing Bahraini head coach Nizar Al-Shekili to call a timeout to improve their fortunes which helped them take the narrow 17-16 lead. However, the strong visitors came up with their exceptional tactics and form to win the close set 25-20 to widen the gap to 2-1.

Al-Ahli Sport Club came into the court in the fourth set with the winning attitude as they took the lead 8-4 and left the Indonesians with five-point disadvantage at 16-11 at the second technical time-out. The determined Al-Ahli Sport Club moved on to take the hotly-contested set 25-18, thanks to the applause and positive vibes receiving from the home fans, forcing the decider.

In the do-or-die tiebreaker, Al-Ahli Sport Club gained the upper hand to take the initial lead 8-3 and continued to seal the deal on exciting fashion 15-6.