Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, August 14, 2022 – Debutants Bahrain caused a major sensation as they stunned Korea, world No.33 and bronze medallists at the recent FIVB Challenger Cup in Seoul, in hard-fought three-set thriller 25-23, 27-25, 32-30 in the third-place playoff clash to claim historic bronze medal in the 2022 AVC Cup for Men at the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Gymnasium here on Sunday.
Korea rested their best players including Heo Subong, Na Gyeongbok and Choi Minho and instead fielded substitutions including setter Hwang Taekeue, Park Jinwoo and Kwak Seungsuk. Spearheaded the team on Sunday were hard-attacking Im Donghyeok and star spiker Lim Sungjin. Bahrain are competing in this topflight competition for the first time ever, but for the Bahrainis, to make it to the bronze-medal match was something to cheer about.
Bahrain started strongly to take a three-point lead at 4-1 before Korea clawed their way back to catch up with the tough rivals at 12-12, thanks to blistering attacks from powerful hitter Im Donghyeok and Lim Sungjin. Bahrain counter-attacked well with Naser Anan and Mohamad Anan overcoming the taller blockers with their exceptional spikes and mid-court drop shots. The Bahrainis met the Koreans again at 19-19 and from then continued their winning streak. Korea tried to stop the rivals’ remarkable run, but their attempts were in vain. Bahrain took the hard-fought first set 25-23.
The second set was also closely contested, but Bahrain proved that they did not fear the world-level team as they came up with some beautiful disguised shots to stay in front with a 2-point advantage at 10-8. Im Donghyeok got Korea back on track with his mighty attacks at the net to help his team level 22-22 and 24-24. However, Im Donghyeok’s great form alone was not enough to hold off the Bahrainis as they played exceptionally well in all elements. Mohamed Abdulla hammered a thundering off-the-block attack to put Korea ahead 26-25 before Naser Anan and Abbas Alkhabbaz solidly block Im Donghyeok for the Bahrain’s hard-fought 27-25 win in this set.
The rhythm was with the Bahrainis to take an early 12-10 lead in the third set. The Koreans kept composure to come back and catch up with the rivals at 17-17, 22-22 and moments later captured the lead for good 24-22, needing only one more point to win this difficult set. Still, they let the win slip through their fingers. Bahrain bounced back to catch them at 24-24 and 26-26.
After that, both sides exchanged attacks which caused a brilliant rally in between. Bahrain went ahead 30-29 when Mohamed Abdulla produced a fierce off-the-block attack, but Korea hit back gallantly to level it 30-30. However, with the win in their sails, Bahrain sealed the deal when Abbas Alkhabbaz and Mahmood Alafyah effectively blocked Lim Sungjin and again Mohamed Aldawiri and Naser Anan blocked Im Donghyeok to hand Bahrain two points in a row and completely end the Korean challenge.
Mohamed Anan chipped in with 18 points including 15 attacks for Bahrain, while teammates Mohamed Abdulla and Naser Anan added 14 and 9 points respectively. Im Donghyeok scored a match-high 28 points including 26 attacks on Korea’s losing efforts, while Lim Sungjin contributed 13 points.
After the match, Bahrain head coach Issanaye Ramiress Ferraz kneeled down on the floor in thankful manner, while his players jumped for joy and ran around to celebrate their unprecedented medal in the AVC Cup for Men. They threw their head coach in the air to celebrate their victory.
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