Egypt clinched a berth in the semifinals of the eighth Rashid International Volleyball Tournament following a hard-fought 3-2 win over the UAE on Wednesday night.
The Egyptians won the encounter 25-18, 22-25, 21-25, 25-17 and 15-7.
India also qualified for the round of four after defeating Saudi Arabia 25-19, 25-22 and 25-14. India scored the full mark (nine points out of nine) by winning all three matches in Group B.
The stage appears to be set for an all-Asian final today between China and India following the semifinals, which was held late last night.
The final will be at 8:30pm at the Saeed bin Maktoum indoor sports hall in Al Shabab Club with a huge Indian crowd expected to attend and support their team their quest for the fifth title.
The UAE lacked experience and fitness against Egypt, who lost the way midway through the match.
The UAE led two sets to one and appeared set for a victory over the Egyptians, who called on all their experience to bounce back.
Led by Hamdi Al Safy they won the fourth set to level 2-2 and clinched the decisive set to win 3-2.
Egypt took the lead at the start of the first set and advanced with smashes by Abdul Naem and Al Safy. The UAE, with tough blocks at the net by Khalid Mahmoud and Walid Ahmad, reduced the deficit to 8-9.
The UAE made too many errors in receiving and serving. Most of their serves were off the mark, which made it easy for the Egyptians who won the first set 25-18.
But the UAE spikers showed a fighting spirit in the second set with powerful smashes by Hasan Majid and Saif Rashid. They led early and, though Egypt levelled at 4-4, the UAE wrested the initiative and never looked back again.
They did not repeat the mistakes from the first set and strengthened their grip on the set with good defending at the net by Sami Jasim and Khalid Al Dossary while Hasan Majid's smashes made the difference. They took a seven point lead at 17-10 and went on to win the set 25-22.
The UAE continued with the same power, Khalid Mahmoud was in a good form and libero Ali Fardan was also excellent in defence. The UAE led 4-3, 9-5 and 15-12 as Egypt committed a lot of mistakes in serving and defending, which enabled UAE to win the set 25-21.
Realising that they were close to making their exit from the tournament, Egypt stormed back and led powerfully from the start 4-1, 6-2, 12-4.
The UAE squad's lack of fitness and faltering defence at the net enabled Egypt dominate the set through the all-attacking Al Safy, Kemssan and Abdul Naem smashes and defending by Wael Al Aydy. They won the set 25-17 to level at two games all.
In the fifth and decisive set the UAE spikers suffered from fatigue and conceded the match to the Egyptian at 15-7.
The Egyptian players were well prepared physically and led 4-1 and 6-2. Hasan Majid reduced the gap to 6-4, but lacked support from his teammates with the exception of Khalid Mahmoud.
Strong blocks from Al Safy and Roshdy ensured Egypt kept the lead until they won the set 15-7.
In the second match India did not meet with much resistance from the Saudis, who attempted to fight in the first and second sets which India won 25-19 and 25-22 through dazzling performances by Subarao, Kapil Dev, Srikanth and Tom Joseph.
The trio were in top form and anchored India to the semifinals.
The third set was a one side affair in which India led all the way at 14-5 and 21-13. before they wrapped up the set and the match at 25-14.
ResultsEgypt 3 UAE 2India 3 Saudi Arabia 0Man of the match: Khalid Mahmoud (UAE); Majed Al Jahny (Saudi Arabia).
Today's schedule 6:30pm: Third place playoff.8pm: Final (Al Shabab Club indoor sports hall).
Gulf News
