Qatar - QVA 2015/2016

Diaz: I feel at home in Qatar
Volleyball is to Cuba what football is to Brazil. Cuban players bring a certain flavour to the game which is unmatched. Be it their impromptu jig after scoring a point or catch-me-if-you-can style runs following a retrieval or their runaway celebrations after winning a match, they are the ultimate entertainers of the game.

From Lionel Marshall to Osmel Camejo, the Qatar League has been blessed with an array of Cuban players and the latest to join the list is Williams Diaz. The 29-year-old spiker, who joined Police at the start of the season from Italy’s Volley Monza, is giving the sport a new dimension with his bag of theatrics.

A livewire on the court, Diaz is noted as much for his celebrations as for his contributions to his team's play.

In a crucial match against champions Al Rayyan last week, Diaz relieved the tension in the Police camp with his light approach and presence of mind. Over-the-top celebrations after winning a point were followed by animated ear-pinching gestures.

And finally, the win over the champions was celebrated with a chest-bumping exercise and war cry which reverberated inside the Qatar Volleyball Association Indoor Hall.

“I play like this because I love the sport. Volleyball has been my life ever since I was a child. I don’t have any inhibitions and I’m always like this on the court. My team knows that I’m like this and they’re happy. So am I,” Diaz told Doha Stadium Plus Magazine.

In a short span of time, Diaz has broken the stereotype image of Qatar League players who prefer to be serious on the court.

Not the one to let go of an opportunity to have friendly banter with a rival, the 2m-tall player makes sure that he never crosses the line.

“I know that I’m different from other players in the Qatar League. I’m a person of jovial nature and I always approach things with an open heart. There’s no point in being too serious on the court. Sport is meant for enjoyment and relaxation, and you’ve to take it that way. If I see a player in trouble, even if he’s in the opposition, I don’t mind helping him,” added Diaz, who has plied his trade with some of the best-known clubs in Italy and Cuba.

Diaz feels at home in Qatar, as there are many Cubans playing in the league, even though most of them play for different teams.

Al Arabi’s Camejo has already proved his mettle with his stellar performance in the season-opening Association Cup. Diaz will be up against his compatriot on Saturday when Police take on Arabi in an eagerly-awaited contest.

“Cubans, we’re like a family here in Qatar. On the field we may be strong rivals, but we do go out together for dinner on non-match days. Club rivalry doesn’t stand in the way of friendship and family,” he added.

Police, whose best performance in the league was a runners-up finish in 2014, have not lost a single match so far this season and Diaz hopes he can help the team continue in the same vein and has high ambitions for the club.

“We play every day thinking each match is a final. That’s the only way we can raise the bar. The Qatar League is strong with teams like Rayyan and Arabi all having a big history. I want Police to break their stranglehold and if I can contribute to that, I’ll be a happy man.

“It’s all about the right mentality. If you approach each game thinking you can win it, then nothing is impossible. I hope we can break through this season,” he concluded.
fivb.org

1st round (home)
Al Arabi – Qatar SC November 25, 20153 - 0 (25:17, 25:15, 25:15)
Police SC – Al Sadd November 25, 20153 - 1 (25:19, 25:17, 22:25, 25:19)
El Jaish – Al Gharafa November 30, 20153 - 0 (25:19, 25:19, 25:9)
Al Ahli – Al Wakra November 30, 20153 - 0 (25:20, 25:16, 25:22)
Al Arabi – Al Sadd December 2, 20153 - 0 (25:6, 25:11, 25:14)
Al Rayyan – Qatar SC December 2, 20153 - 1 (32:30, 25:16, 22:25, 25:21)
El Jaish – Al Wakra December 4, 20153 - 0 (25:10, 25:13, 25:17)
Al Shamal – Al Khor December 4, 20153 - 1 (12:25, 25:20, 25:22, 25:17)
Police SC – Al Khor December 7, 20153 - 1 (27:29, 25:22, 25:21, 25:21)
Al Ahli – Al Shamal December 7, 20153 - 0 (25:20, 25:22, 25:23)
Al Rayyan – Al Gharafa December 9, 20153 - 0 (25:19, 25:13, 25:17)
Qatar SC – Al Sadd December 9, 20153 - 0 (25:16, 25:22, 25:21)
El Jaish – Al Shamal December 11, 20153 - 1 (23:25, 25:18, 25:18, 25:19)
Al Arabi – Al Khor December 11, 20153 - 0 (25:14, 25:11, 25:17)
Al Rayyan – Al Sadd December 14, 20153 - 0 (25:17, 25:19, 25:22)
Police SC – Al Ahli December 14, 20153 - 1 (25:19, 33:31, 15:25, 27:25)
Qatar SC – Al Khor December 16, 20153 - 2 (25:21, 15:25, 25:17, 23:25, 15:8 )
Al Gharafa – Al Wakra December 16, 20153 - 2 (21:25, 24:26, 25:17, 25:17, 15:13)
Al Arabi – Al AhliDecember 20, 20152 - 3 (19:25, 20:25, 25:18, 26:24, 8:15)
El Jaish – Police SCDecember 20, 20152 - 3 (27:25, 18:25, 25:17, 20:25, 15:17)
Al Rayyan – Al Wakra December 21, 20153 - 0 (25:11, 25:17, 25:17)
Al Sadd – Al KhorDecember 21, 2015 1 - 3 (18:25, 25:21, 16:25, 17:25)
Qatar SC – Al AhliDecember 23, 20151 - 3 (18:25, 16:25, 25:23, 23:25)
Al Gharafa – Al ShamalDecember 23, 20150 - 3 (22:25, 30:32, 27:29)
Al Rayyan – Al Khor December 25, 20153 - 0 (25:13, 32:30, 25:23)
Al Arabi – El Jaish December 25, 20153 - 2 (23:25, 16:25, 25:21, 25:23, 15:11)
Al Wakra – Al ShamalDecember 28, 20150 - 3 (17:25, 19:25, 19:25)
Al Sadd – Al AhliDecember 28, 20151 - 3 (13:25, 18:25, 26:24, 21:25)
Al Gharafa – Police SCDecember 30, 20150 - 3 (18:25, 19:25, 22:25)
Qatar SC – El JaishDecember 30, 2015 0 - 3 (21:25, 20:25, 18:25)

Al Khor – Al AhliJanuary 1, 20161 - 3 (25:22, 10:25, 21:25, 24:26)
Al Rayyan – Al Shamal January 1, 20163 - 0 (25:18, 25:22, 25:22)
Al Sadd – El JaishJanuary 4, 20160 - 3 (14:25, 13:25, 15:25)
Al Wakra – Police SCJanuary 4, 20160 - 3 (17:25, 16:25, 17:25)
Al Shamal – Qatar SC January 6, 20163 - 2 (22:25, 25:19, 16:25, 25:14, 15:9)
Al Khor – Al Gharafa January 6, 20163 - 2 (19:25, 19:25, 25:19, 25:21, 15:13)
Al Gharafa – Al ArabiJanuary 9, 20160 - 3 (20:25, 16:25, 17:25)
Al Rayyan – Al AhliJanuary 9, 20161 - 3 (25:23, 25:27, 20:25, 21:25)
Al Shamal – Police SCJanuary 11, 20161 - 3 (20:25, 20:25, 26:24, 23:25)
Al Khor – El JaishJanuary 11, 20160 - 3 (14:25, 17:25, 16:25)
Al Wakra – Al ArabiJanuary 13, 20160 - 3 (17:25, 15:25, 5:25)
Al Sadd – Al GharafaJanuary 13, 20161 - 3 (24:26, 20:25, 25:16, 22:25)
Al Ahli – El JaishJanuary 15, 20161 - 3 (19:25, 22:25, 27:25, 21:25)
Al Rayyan – Police SCJanuary 15, 20162 - 3 (25:21, 25:27, 19:25, 25:22, 12:15)
Al Shamal – Al ArabiJanuary 18, 20160 - 3 (20:25, 28:30, 12:25)
Al Wakra – Al SaddJanuary 18, 20161 - 3 (17:25, 25:21, 22:25, 20:25)
Al Gharafa – Qatar SC January 20, 20163 - 2 (15:25, 25:18, 18:25, 25:20, 15:7)
Al Rayyan – El Jaish January 20, 20163 - 1 (25:23, 22:25, 25:23, 25:18 )
Al Wakra – Qatar SC January 23, 20163 - 0 (25:17, 25:21, 25:19)
Police SC – Al ArabiJanuary 23, 20162 - 3 (26:28, 17:25, 25:20, 31:29, 14:16)
Al Khor – Al Wakra January 25, 20163 - 0 (25:20, 25:18, 25:22)
Al Ahli – Al Gharafa January 25, 20163 - 1 (18:25, 25:19, 25:18, 25:21)
Police SC – Qatar SC January 27, 20163 - 0 (25:17, 25:16, 25:22)
Al Shamal – Al Sadd January 27, 20163 - 0 (25:22, 25:22, 25:21)
Al Rayyan – Al ArabiJanuary 30, 20162 - 3 (25:23, 25:22, 23:25, 14:25, 10:15)

Police suffer first defeat in Qatar League
January 27, 2016 - The law of averages finally caught up with Police as they suffered their first loss in the Qatar League, going down to former champions Al Arabi in a five-set thriller.

The marathon 3-2 (28-26, 25-17, 20-25, 29-31, 16-14) win helped Arabi displace Police from the top of standings.

Though both Arabi and Police have 23 points each from nine games, the former have a better set quotient.

El Jaish, who lost to champions Al Rayyan, also have 23 points, but have played a match extra. Rayyan are fourth on 22 with a game in hand.

The high-voltage contest at the Qatar Volleyball Association Indoor Hall was one of the best matches in the league.

Arabi had suffered only one loss (to Al Ahli), while Police were the only unbeaten side in the league, which features 11 teams.

There was a Cuban subplot to the match as Arabi’s professional player Osmel Camejo was pitted against Police’s Williams Diaz. In the end, the former had the last laugh. He was well assisted by experienced players Ibrahim Saeed and Juma Faraj.
fivb.org

2nd round (away)
El Jaish – Al GharafaFebruary 1, 20162 - 3 (24:26, 23:25, 30:28, 25:18, 10:15)
Police SC – Al Wakra February 1, 20163 - 0 (25:14, 25:17, 25:17)
Al Arabi – Al Sadd February 3, 20163 - 0 (25:17, 25:14, 25:14)
Al Khor – Al RayyanFebruary 3, 20161 - 3 (17:25, 25:23, 17:25, 12:25)
Al Ahli – Qatar SC February 5, 20163 - 2 (27:29, 26:24, 23:25, 25:19, 15:9)
El Jaish – Al Shamal February 5, 20163 - 1 (25:21, 25:18, 23:25, 25:17)
Al Arabi – Al Khor February 8, 20163 - 0 (25:13, 25:22, 25:15)
Al Rayyan – Al Gharafa February 8, 20163 - 1 (25:18, 31:29, 16:25, 25:13)

Ranking
1. Al Arabi 12 31
2. Police SC 11 29
3. Al Rayyan 12 29
4. El Jaish 12 27
5. Al Ahli 11 25
6. Al Shamal 11 14
7. Al Gharafa 12 10
8. Al Khor 12 9
9. Qatar SC 11 8
10. Al Wakra 11 4
11. Al Sadd 11 3

Qatar SC – Al RayyanFebruary 10, 20161 - 3 (17:25, 25:21, 11:25, 19:25)
Al Wakra – Al AhliFebruary 10, 20160 - 3 (17:25, 22:25, 19:25)
Police SC – Al Sadd February 12, 20163 - 1 (25:20, 25:17, 23:25, 25:19)
Al Wakra – Al Arabi February 12, 20160 - 3 (14:25, 17:25, 19:25)
Al Sadd – Al RayyanFebruary 15, 20161 - 3 (12:25, 25:22, 19:25, 23:25)
Al Ahli – Al Khor February 15, 20163 - 0 (25:23, 25:19, 25:13)
Al Arabi – Qatar SC February 17, 20163 - 0 (25:16, 27:25, 25:20)
Police SC – Al Gharafa February 17, 20163 - 0 (25:23, 25:21, 25:19)

The league will now have a 12-day break as Rayyan and El Jaish represent the country at the Arab Club Championship beginning in Tunisia on Wednesday.

Ranking
1. Al Arabi 14 37
2. Police SC 13 35
3. Al Rayyan 14 35
4. Al Ahli 13 31
5. El Jaish 12 27
6. Al Shamal 11 14
7. Al Gharafa 13 10
8. Al Khor 13 9
9. Qatar SC 13 8
10. Al Wakra 13 4
11. Al Sadd 13 3