Burgan player spikes the ball against Al-Ittihad.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 7: Volleyball fans are in for a thrilling encounter today as Kuwait Club faces Al-Ahli of Bahrain at 6:00 pm at the Volleyball Federation Hall inside the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex. The match marks the conclusion of the preliminary round for Group Two in the 4th West Asia Clubs Volleyball Championship, hosted by Kuwait Club until February 14, with 11 teams competing.

The clash between Kuwait Club and the Bahraini side promises high intensity and fierce competition, with top spot in the group at stake. Kuwait Club recorded a 3–0 victory over Lebanon’s Shabab Al-Batrun and edged Al-Wakrah of Qatar 3–2, while Al-Ahli cruised past both Shabab Al-Batrun and Al-Wakrah with identical 3–0 wins. As a result, today’s showdown will determine the group leader. The group winner will advance to face the best third-placed team in the next round, while the runner-up will meet the second-placed team from Group Three.

Elsewhere today, Group C action continues with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad taking on Dar Kulaib of Bahrain at 1:00 pm, followed by Burgan vs. Al-Seeb of Oman at 3:30 pm.

Burgan opened its campaign with a 0–3 defeat to Al-Ittihad. On the same day, Al-Rayyan of Qatar defeated Ghazan Al-Janoub of Iraq 3–1, while Al-Ahli overcame Shabab Al-Batrun 3–0.

According to the tournament format, the preliminary round is played in a single round-robin system, with the top two teams from each group plus the two best third-placed teams qualifying for the quarterfinals, scheduled for tomorrow.

The participating teams are divided into three groups:

Group A: Al-Rayyan (Qatar, defending champions), Majees (Oman), Ghazan Al-Janoub (Iraq)

Group B: Kuwait Club (host), Shabab Al-Batrun (Lebanon), Al-Wakrah (Qatar), Al-Ahli (Bahrain)

Group C: Burgan, Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Al-Seeb (Oman), Dar Kulaib (Bahrain)

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff