Bahrain and Qatar yesterday booked their spot in the final of the 17th Asian Handball Championship at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.
Bahrain defeated Japan 29-23 while Qatar sealed a 22-13 win over Saudi Arabia to set up and exciting title clash tomorrow.
Bahrain’s Hussain Al Sayyad, Mohammed Jassim Al Maqabi and Abbas Al Salatna each scored five goals to top the scoring charts while Japan’s Jin Watanabe was his team’s highest scorer with four goals.
The match started off quite intensely as both sides kept the game close while attempting to take the lead.
Al Sayyad scored Bahrain’s first two goals and Al Maqabi scored another brace giving the hosts a two-goal lead as only Yuto Agarie and Kairi Kochi scored for Japan.
As Bahrain extended their lead to 7-5, Japan was awarded a penalty shot. However, Watanbe’s effort was saved by Bahrain’s goalkeeper Mohammed Hussain Abdulla who continued to impress with his spectacular saves in this tournament.
Abdulla was once again the man of the moment when he saved another penalty and cemented Bahrain’s lead as well as the goal-gap.
Bahrain managed to end the first half leading 15-10.
The second half equally entertaining as the first as Bahrain’s players were offering the fans a performance to cheer on.
Al Salatna managed to score early in the second half with Mahmood Abdulqader and Al Sayyad featuring among the scorers to extend Bahrain’s lead to 19-11.
Bahrain kept up their attack and took home a deserved win to qualify to the final of the championship.
The second game saw Qatar put in an impressive performance to claim a22-13 win against Saudi Arabia.
Qatar’s Markovic Zarko topped the goal scoring table with seven goals to his name while his team-mate Murad Abdulrazaq came in second scoring five.
Saudi’s top scorer was Abdullah Al Abbas with five goals.
Saudi’s Mohammed Al Abbas faced a serious injury in the opening minutes of the game and was stretchered out of the field.
The first half of the game saw Qatar’s Murrad shine as he scored three out of their first four goals.
Qatar managed to end the first half leading 12-9.
The second half saw the team put in a fantastic attacking display as they scored 10 goals.
Qatar’s defence stood stronger in the second half as Saudi did not find any easy way to get pass them.
Saudi only managed to score four goals in the second half.
Today will see the latter ranks of the championship being decided.
China will face Lebanon at 3pm to decide the ninth and tenth placed teams while UAE will face Oman at 5pm to decided the seventh and eighth placed teams at the Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.
The most important game of the night will see South Korea face Iran at 7pm at the same venue with the winners gaining direct qualification to the World Championship.
The tournament, hosted by Bahrain for the second consecutive time, also serves as a qualifier to the World Championships in France next January.
Either, South Korea or Iran will join Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Japan at the World Championship.