Oman beach volleyball B team bows out after a second consecutive defeat

Muscat: Oman’s beach volleyball B team bowed out of the 20th Asian Games on Wednesday after suffering a second consecutive defeat, while the Sultanate’s A team will begin its campaign as the competition moves into another busy phase in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Ahmed Al Hosni and Khalfan Al Maamari lost 2-0 to Iran’s Abbas Pour Asghari and Ali Reza Agha at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Volleyball venue. Iran controlled both sets, winning 21-12, 21-12 to secure its second victory in the group.

Oman had earlier lost 2-0 to Thailand, leaving the pair out of contention for the next round. Their final group match is against Timor-Leste.

The focus now shifts to Oman’s A team of Nouh Al Jalboobi and Mazen Al Hashmi, who launch their campaign against the Philippines on Thursday.

The duo completed their final training session on Wednesday and will be looking to make a winning start.
“We are fully prepared for our opening game. We understand its importance and will enter the match with everything we have to achieve the objective we set before the competition,” Al Jalboobi said.

Fencing, shooting setbacks
Oman’s fencing team also endured a difficult day as Israa Al Siyabia exited the women’s individual foil competition after five defeats in the group stage.

Al Siyabia lost to Japan’s Komaki Kikuchi 5-1, India’s Ashitha Stalinraj 5-1, Macau’s Hiu Lam 5-3, China’s Qian Qin Huang 5-0 and Singapore’s Amita Mari 5-2. Oman are making their Asian Games debut in fencing, with Al Harith Al Harthy and Saeed Al Shaeebi set to compete in the men’s épée.

In shooting, Naghmous Al Hattali missed qualification for the skeet final.

Oman will have athletes in action across several disciplines on Thursday.

Mazoon Al Alawi will compete in the women’s 100m heats at Mizuho Stadium, with Ali Al Balushi and Mulham Al Balushi taking part in the men’s 100m heats. Mubeen Al Kindi will also compete in the hammer throw.

Also, Oman’s hockey team takes on Uzbekistan in Gifu. The hockey side will seek to bounce back after defeats against China and Malaysia.