QATAR’s Al-Rayyan booked a return trip to the finals with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 victory over Kazakhstan’s Kondensat-Zhaikmunayin on Tuesday in the Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Title-holder Matin Varamin of Iran later set up a finals rematch with Al-Rayyan with a 27-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Baic Motor of China.
Cuban born Yosleyder Cala Gerardo, who was raised in the United States and played for Brigham Young University, led Al-Rayyan with 16 points from 12 spikes, one block and all three of the team’s service aces.
Italian reinforcement Christian Savani had 14 markers for Al-Rayyan, while Alhachdadi Mohamed produced 13 for the Qatar squad.
“It was a difficult game for us, we felt nervous because we know this is an important game for us but Savani and Cala made the difference in the three sets," said Qatar’s Croatian coach Igor Arbutina.
“This is not the same team which placed second last year, and the international players are solving the difficult situation that makes the difference," he added.
“We will try to make one step farther and win the title,” said Arbutina.
Vitaliy Vorivodin finished with 16 markers for the Kazakhstan squad, which will try to salvage third place against China.
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