Two-time champions Arabi aim for Super Cup hat-trick against Rayyan today

In-form Al Arabi are aiming to continue their dream run and claim a hat-trick of Super Cup titles, when they take on arch rivals Al Rayyan in a one-off match today in the Indoor Hall of Al Arabi Stadium.This is the third edition of the Cup and likely to set the momentum for the 2016-17 Qatar League, which will start on October 17. The Super Cup features Emir’s Cup champions against Qatar League winners. Since Arabi won both, they will take on the League runners-up Rayyan. Arabi are the two-time defending champions of the Super Cup.Arabi finished second in the Asia Men’s Club Volleyball Championship held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, recently and won the QVA Cup defeating El Jaish 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-23) in the final on Wednesday.“We are playing good volleyball recently and players are confident after their QVA Cup victory. My team is match-fit and I hope we will put up a good show tomorrow against Rayyan,” Arabi coach Mawya Alajnaf said, while addressing a press conference yesterday.Matches between Rayyan and Arabi have always been high-voltage contests and as both the teams are going to name close to full-strength teams after the QVA Cup, the expectations are a few notches up this time.Rayyan, who lost the first two Super Cup contests to Arabi, is hoping for a better show this time.“I am expecting a tough match tomorrow. Arabi is a top team and it’s always a challenge to face them and as they are coming with good show in Asian Cup and recent QVA Cup triumph, we have to be at our best to beat them,” Rayyan’s coach Igor Arbutina said on the eve of the match.“Yes, we lost to Arabi last year and we were eliminated in the first round of the QVA Cup, but we are well prepared this time and also coming with a new-look team. Hopefully, we will put up a good show,” he said.Rayyan’s Osman Ajab echoed the views of his coach. “Our team is fully geared up. The team will be different from the one that played in the QVA Cup and I hope we will have a good outing tomorrow against Arabi,” he said.Qatar Volleyball Association executive director Ahmad al-Shaybani said the association will honour some players for their services to the game during the match.