Bangkok, Thailand, November 24, 2022 – In-form Lebanon stunned Jordan and their home supporters in comfortable straight sets in the final showdown to underline their supremacy over the first West Asia Women’s Volleyball Championship at Palace Stadium in Al Hussein Youth City Complex in Jordan’s capital city Amman on Wednesday.
The convincing 25-13, 25-18, 25-14 triumph over the host side gave Lebanon the unprecedented title with remarkable unbeaten record after hectic nine days of the inaugural competition. With 10 teams – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Oman – actively participating to vie for top honour, it augurs well for the great success of this historic championship in terms of the amount of participating teams and the fruitful organisation of hosts Jordan.
In the Wednesday’s final clash between Lebanon and Jordan, both of them did not lose a single match to their respective opponents, came out in full force to make history of winning the very first title of the championship.
However, the initially expected tough match turned to an easy task for the determined visitors. Lebanon, which lost only two sets throughout the championship to Syria in the pool plays, took the one-sided first set 25-13.
Despite some improvement from the hosts, Lebanon were on a different level with their attackers and blockers particularly outstanding to clinch the second set 25-18.
Jordan put their acts together, hoping for a determined comeback in the crucial third set. Still, the on-going battle turned out to be another lop-sided set with Lebanon’s attacks too powerful for the hapless Jordanians. Lebanon rapidly sealed the deal after closing out the comfortable third set 25-14 to reign supreme.
Earlier, the UAE picked up bronze medal following their terrific comeback 3-2 (23-25, 25-11, 25-22, 19-25, 15-11) win against spirited Iraq in the hard-fought third-place playoff clash.
Meanwhile, Kuwait ended their campaign in Amman in fifth position after demolishing Syria in thrilling four-setter 25-18, 19-25, 25-19, 25-13, while the 7th place went to Saudi Arabia, which recovered from the first-set down to win the playoff match against Qatar 20-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17).
Her Royal Highness Princess Ayah Bint Faisal, President of Jordan Volleyball Federation, presided over the awards presentation and closing ceremony on Wednesday.
The Princess graciously presented the Champions’ Trophy to the eventual winners Lebanon and also gave away appreciation plaques to all supporters and sponsors who played part in helping make the inaugural championship a great success.
DREAM TEAM
FINAL RESULTS
Playoffs
7th-8th: Saudi Arabia beat Qatar 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17)
5th-6th: Kuwait beat Syria 3-1 (25-18, 19-25, 25-19, 25-13)
Bronze-medal match: UAE beat Iraq 3-2 (23-25, 25-11, 25-22, 19-25, 15-11)
Championship match: Lebanon beat Jordan 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-14)
FINAL RANKINGS
1. Lebanon
2. Jordan
3. UAE
4. Iraq
5. Kuwait
6. Syria
7. Saudi Arabia
8. Qatar
9. Oman
10. Palestine
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