Dubai: Dubai 2020 battled their way past Dubai 2021 to climb to the top of their group and book their semi-final spot from Group B in the volleyball competition at the Fifth Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Ramadan Sports Tournament late on Wednesday.

With both Zabeel Storm and Zabeel battling earlier for bragging rights in the group, the encounter between Dubai 2021 and Dubai 2020 was a crucial one with the winner assured of a spot in the last four stages. Finally, it was Dubai 2020 riding on a fine team effort who made their way past Dubai 2021 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23).

Zabeel Storm, meanwhile, coasted past Zabeel 3-1 to keep their hopes alive from the group, provided they can get the better of Dubai 2021 in their final encounter on Friday.

Dubai 2020 started off well with the Bahraini duo of Mohammad Yaqoob and Nasser Saleh Anan combining well with captain Mohammad Rashid Al Merri to take the opening set 25-21. In the second set, Dubai 2020 had the edge but they lost their concentration midway to allow Dubai 2021’s Dominican Republic import Elvi De Los Santos far too many liberties at the net.

However, Dubai 2020 recovered just in time with Anan proving useful with his spikes from either flank to take a 2-0 lead while winning the set 25-22. But then, they caved in as Dubai 2021 came roaring back through Majid Thani Obaid, Germany’s Salvador Hidalgo Oliva and Los Santos to win the set 25-23. In the fourth set, Dubai 2020 were back in command as they wrapped it up 25-23.

“We seemed to fall asleep even though we were in command,” Dubai 2020 captain Ali Ebrahim Al Marzouqi later told Gulf News.

“But luckily we woke up just in time to defeat a well prepared team, and that is a huge relief. We have one more match to go and it is our intention to end at the top of our group. After that it is one match at a time,” he added.

Meanwhile, in the padel competition, the top-seeded Ahli brothers, Mohammad and Abdullah, became the first players to enter the semi-finals of the UAE Nationals category with a comprehensive 6-0, 6-1 win against Ahmad Al Ketbi and Eisa Sharif. They will now await the winners of the quarter-final pitting Abdul Rahman Al Marzouqi and Ahmad Al Marzouqi against Zayed Abbas and Abdullah Ahmad.

In the Open category, the fancied pairing of Fermin Ferreyra and Guillermo Villafane maintained their winning streak in Group B with a 6-0, 6-0 drubbing of Carlos Luna and Mohammad Al Janahi.

Argentinean Ferreyra, who is ranked No.56 on the World Padel Tour (WPT) and Dubai-based Villafane still have one important match against top-ranked Javier Molina and Emilio Misas that will decide the group leader.

“Our focus is on taking one match at a time. This is my fourth year in Dubai and I have seen this tournament grow in strength each year. “Basically, we’ve got to just play our game and the results will follow,” the padel professional told Gulf News.

Meanwhile, in the teams competition Lokkoos.com fought back from a one-match deficit to defeat Padel Pro 2, 2-1 and set up a quarter-final meeting against the SHM Team on June 5.

RESULTS

Volleyball: Zabeel Storm def. Zabeel 3-1 (25-18, 25-21, 18-25, 25-9); Dubai 2020 def. Dubai 2021 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23).

Padel: (UAE Nationals) Mohammad Ahli/Abdullah Ahli x Ahmad Al Ketbi/Eisa Sharif 6-0, 6-1; (Open) Fermin Ferreyra/Guillermo Villafane x Carlos Luna/Mohammad Al Janahi 6-0, 6-0; (Teams) Lokoos.com Team def. Padel Pro 2, 2-1 (6-3, 6-2; 7-5, 1-6, 3-10 and 6-1, 6-1).