Iran managed to occupy the last Asian berth for the World Handball Championship after defeating South Korea 29-28 in the fifth-place decider of the 17th Asian Handball Championship at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town last night. 

Iran started the game rather defensively and they ended the first half trailing 15-16.

The second half, however saw Iran take possession of the game and  control the tempo. They managed to flip the score to their advantage and claim victory.

The toughest game of the night saw UAE edge past Oman. 

UAE’s win, which gives them the seventh overall ranking in the championship, came after the two teams ended the second half 26-26. UAE had earlier managed to end the first half leading with a two-goal difference, 14-12. 

As the two teams went into extra time, UAE looked like the better side to record a win and they pulled off a remarkable win with outstanding defence work. 

The loss left Oman in eighth place.

China managed to rack up a win against Lebanon to claim ninth place while the latter came in 10th. 

China managed to overcome their poor show in the first half (10-15) as Lebanon’s players looked fatigued towards the end. 

China managed to win the game with a seven-goal difference, 30-23. 

The final will take place today between Qatar and Bahrain. 

Both teams had managed to top their group standings without a loss.

They had also met in the final of the last edition when Qatar clinched their first ever Asian Championship title defeating Bahrain 27-26.

Today’s final will also see Bahrain’s goalkeeper Mohammed Hussain Abdulla, who is tipped to be one of the best goalkeepers of the tournament, come up against Qatar’s Danijel Saric who plays for Spanish giants Barcelona. 

The match will be played at 7pm at Khalifa Sports City. Entry will be free. 

The third-place match between Saudi Arabia and Japan will take place today at 5pm at the same venue.

The tournament, hosted by Bahrain for a second consecutive time, also serves a qualifier to the World Championships in France next January. 

World runners-up Qatar, along with Bahrain, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran, will represent Asia at the world Championship.