Zubas top group with hard-fought win over Al Wasl

Dubai: Zubas of Italy defeated Al Wasl 3-2 on the third day of the Dubai International Ladies Volleyball Championship's group A match on Friday.

Al Wasl advanced to 4-1 soon after the match began at the Al Wasl Club indoor sports hall.

But the Italian ladies levelled 6-6 and never looked back until they clinched the first set 25-19.

The Al Wasl strengthened their blocks on the net to win the second set 25-14. But Zubas stormed back in the third set to win it 25-14 benefiting from some poor serving by Al Wasl players. However the home team fought hard in the fourth set and the score was level on many occasions before Al Wasl won it 25-23.

The Italian ladies performed well in the fifth and decisive set as they led from the start and emerged winners (15-9) to wrap up the match 3-2.

The win put Zubas on top of group A with four points from two matches.

Al Wasl A and Al Qalmon of Lebanon share three points each after the Lebanese ladies beat Samouha of Egypt 3-0 on Friday.

Samouha are at the bottom of group A with two points from two defeats.

In group B, Azerbaijan recovered from their 2-3 first day defeat by Al Wasl B to beat Azad University of Iran 3-0 (25-11, 25-12, 25-14). They top group B with five points from three matches.

Al Wasl B are second in group B. Al Jazira, Azad University and Telmisan of Algeria are third, fourth and fifth respectively in group B.

Today's matches: 7:30 pm: Al Wasl B v Azad University; 9pm: Al Jazira v Azerbaijan.