Dubai: The Surprise Team defeated Fohood Zabeel 3-1, while Al Hazem made their way past Spider Team 3-1 late on Thursday to become the first semi-finalists in the volleyball competition at the Fifth Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Ramadan Sports Tournament.
Needing a win to stay in the running for a spot in the last four stages, Al Hazem made their way past Spider Team 25-20, 23-25, 25-19, 25-14 to finish second behind the Surprise Team in Group A.
Easily among the pre-tournament favourites, the Surprise Team helped themselves to a resounding 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 25-14 win over Fohood Zabeel. They will now wait for the runner-up from Group B.
Carlos Roberto Kaz from Belize provided the spark for Al Hazem’s battling show with 14 points even as Bulgarian Venelin Kadankov (29 points) and Mohammad Shamel (20) did the bulk of the scoring.
“The idea was to start strong early and keep up the momentum. But we were nervous and initially made mistakes that we should never make and we paid for it by losing a set,” blocker Kaz told Gulf News.
“With very little time to get accustomed to each other, we are now pleased that we have begun developing an understanding between ourselves on and off the court. This is an important element as we aspire to reach the top,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Uncle Saeed Team began the defence of their title with an emphatic 2-0 win over Padel Pro 1 and become the first to book their place in the semi-finals of the padel teams competition. They will now await the winners of the quarter-finals between World Padel Poor and Shaikh Abdullah Maktoum Teams.
Also moving into the semi-finals of the UAE Nationals competition was Zayed Abbas and Abdullah Ahmad with a 6-0, 6-0 drubbing of the Al Marzouqi brothers, Abdul Rahman and Ahmad. Abbas and Ahmad will now run into another pair of brothers, Mohammad and Abdullah Ahli in the semi-finals.
RESULTS
VOLLEYBALL: Al Hazem def. Spider Team 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-19, 25-14); Surprise Team def. Fohood Zabeel 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 25-14).
PADEL: (UAE Nationals) Zayed Abbas/Abdullah Ahmad def. Abdul Rahman Al Marzouqi/Ahmad Al Marzouqi 6-0, 6-0. Mohammad Al Janahi/Mohammad Al Mansouri def. Maath Al Khateri/Zaki Al Ghumgham 6-0, 6-0. (Teams) Uncle Saeed Team def. Padel Pro 1, 2-0 (6-2, 6-2 and 6-2, 6-0).