BAHRAIN qualified for next year’s Handball World Championship in France by reaching the semifinals of the 17th Asian Handball Championship last night.
Bahrain reached the last four stage after defeating Iran 27-16 in their Group B clash at Khalifa Sports City. The group includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, China and Lebanon.
The match witnessed slow start by both teams as neither side was able to score early.
Both goalkeepers – Mohammed Hussain of Bahrian and Iran’s Saeid Heidarirad – prevented any attempts on their goal within the first five minutes of the game.
Saad Mahdi gave Bahrain their first goal in the fifth minute while Mahdi Moosavi managed to pull level for Iran two minutes later.
The match tempo rose quickly as Mohamed Al Samahiji scored a double to give Bahrain a two-goal lead. Iran’s coach Aliasghar Sahmi then requested his first time out to get his team back on track.
Bahrain kept playing a strong game and scored through Abbas Al Salatna, Jaffar Abdulqader, Ali Al Sayyad and Shehab Al Fardan.
The first penalty of the game was awarded to Bahrain but Mohammed Habib failed to convert.
Bahrain’s Al Salatna was given the first two-minute ban from the game while his team was leading 10-6.
Iran’s Omid Sekenari was also given a two-minute ban and Bahrain used the opportunity to extend their lead.
Mahdi’s fast break gave Bahrain a five-goal lead and their defence managed to maintain it to end the first half leading 13-8.
The second half saw Bahrain score two kick goals through Ali Sadeq and Ali Abdulqader to extend their lead to 15-8.
Iran were then awarded their first penalty of the night but Bahrain’s goalkeeper made a fantastic save to deny Afshin Sadeghi the chance to reduce the gap.
Abdulqader was once again the man of the moment as he scored two goals from consecutive fast breaks to give Bahrain a nine-goal lead.
Iran’s coach Sahmi once again requested a time out for his team to try and pick up their game but Bahrain’s attack was too strong as the goals kept pouring in.
However, Bahrain missed another three penalties when Jaffar Abdulqader and Mahdi faltered. Howerver, the latter’s rebound was scored by Habib to extend Bahrain’s lead to 21-13.
Iran’s goalkeeper Heidarirad was stretchered off due to an injury and was replaced by Mohsen Babasafari with nine minutes to go.
Bahrain kept up their brilliant performance as Mahdi scored three times, Ali Abdulqader twice and Jaffar Abdulqader once to take Bahrain’s lead to 27-16 at the end of the game.
The win sees Bahrain top the group with eight points from four matches and a goal difference of +59 while Saudi Arabia come in second place with seven points and a +38 goal difference.
UAE are in third place with five points and a goal difference of +6 while Iran sit in fourth place with four points and a goal difference of +7.
Lebanon and Syria are fifth and sixth with zero points and a goal difference of -51 and -59 respectively.
The fourth-round matches in Group A will take place today with Oman facing Japan at 4pm and South Korea taking on Syria at 6pm at Khalifa Sports City.
The tournament, hosted by Bahrain for the second consecutive time, also serves as a qualifier to the World Championships in France next January.
World runners-up Qatar, along with the top four teams, will represent Asia at the World Championship.
* His Majesty King Hamad received a cable of congratulations from His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on the qualification of Bahrain national handball team to the World Championship. His Majesty also received similar cable from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.