Al Rayyan’s players and officials celebrate with the Amir Cup trophy.
Doha: Al Rayyan culminated their dominant season by winning the coveted H H The Amir Cup title following an emphatic 3-0 victory over Al Ahli in the final at Qatar Volleyball Indoor Hall court yesterday.
The coach Carlos Schwanke’s side, having swept almost all titles this season, entered the title-deciding match as overwhelming favourites and they lived up to expectations by overcoming a promising Al Ahli side 25-17, 25-18, 25-19 in 90 minutes.
Al Ahli, who defeated Qatar SC in the semi-final, resisted well in best part of all three games but failed to match Al Rayyan’s class in the decisive stages as they conceded the defeat in straight games.
In the first game, Al Ahli were trailing by only one point at one stage, with Al Rayyan leading 18-17 before the giants earned 7 quick points to take the first game 25-17 and secure an early advantage. Al Ahli showed a better performance but it was almost a similar story in the second game which Al Rayyan won 25-18.
The score was locked at 11-11, before Al Rayyan again started dominating Al Ahli with an attacking display to win the second game and take 2-0 lead.
Al Rayyan maintained their top performance and sealed the title by winning the third game 25-19.
Apart from H H The Amir Cup triumph, Al Rayyan have won season-opening Super Cup, before clinching three more domestic titles including the QVA League, the Qatar National Tournament and the Qatar Cup. They also reigned supreme in the prestigious Arab Clubs Championship.
