RAAJIV TRIPATHI DOHA

AL AHLI Club and Al Rayyan Club scripted straight-set victories to improve their positions in the Premier Division League at the Al Arabi Club on Wednesday.

Professional players Brazilian Geraldo and Cuban Yasser Portuondo lifted Al Ahli to a 25-18 25-22 25-20 triumph against Police, which clearly seemed to be struggling due to lack of cohesion.

Al Rayyan, which was holding the No 2 spot behind Al Arabi Club after the first round-robin league, encountered resistance only in the second set before outclassing Qatar Sports Club by 25-17 27-25 25-20 score line.

Police has its spirits boosted by arrival of new Argentine pro Nicholas. But it was clear in the match that the newcomer, who produced some good smashes and serves, needed time to settle down with others.

Besides this, the team has to reinforce its defence if it has to rise in the six-team standings.

Ahli was far better than Police in almost all aspects of the game, showing a good variety and planning in the attack to shackle the rival when it needed to.

There was not much contest in the opening set and an ace service by Portuondo gave Ahli the set point.

Mahmoud al Essam and Mohammad al Bishi effected a double block against Nicholas to seize 1-0 lead.

Police improved its blocking a bit in the second set and went 5-7 up. Ahli quickly equalised and then the two either drew levels or got onepoint advantage before reaching 14-14.

Suddenly, Ahli grabbed a decisive-looking four-point advantage. Portuondo fired a smash to put his team ahead.

Amir’s strong serve could not be returned by libero Ibrahim Saleh. Another Portuondo’s blast from the middle landed in the Police’s court without any resistance and then a delicate drop by Geraldo widened the scores to 18-14.

Police staged a late rally and came within a point of equalising again (20-21).

Nicholas served out and then Geraldo’s service touched the net to get a deviation which Khaled Yousuf failed to retrieve properly.

Geraldo gained the set point with a touch out, making up for a shot that had landed out. Potuondo netted the serve to give one more life to Police. But Mahmoud al Essam cracked a spike from flank to clinch the set point.

The third set was the most entertaining. After 11-11, Police thrice forged ahead by two points. But from 16-all, five points in a row by Ahli turned around the set and Police failed to negate the advantage.

With Nicholas again putting the service into the net, Ahli gained the match-point and then with Joshun hammering the ball wide, Ahli sealed the straight-set victory.