KARACHI: After winning five successive matches in the group stage, Pakistan men’s handball team failed to live up to the expectations when it mattered the most as they went 0-2 down against Oman in the semi-final of the 4th Asian Beach Games at Phuket, Thailand, on Thursday.

The scores were 21-14 and 20-12 in Oman’s favour.

The Green-shirts will now face Bahrain in the match for bronze medal on Saturday (tomorrow).

“Pakistan missed so many chances,” an official of Pakistan Handball Federation (PHF) said in a statement.

In the other semi-final, holders Qatar continued their winning streak when they whipped Bahrain 21-14, 16-13 to set date with Oman in the final, scheduled for Saturday.

In kabaddi competitions, Pakistan romped to their second successive victory when they overcame Sri Lanka 37-28 in Group B to brighten their semi-finals chances.

The scores remained 17-15 and 20-13 in favour of Pakistan.

In the other clash of the group, South Korea defeated Oman 47-44 to open their account with two points.

In Group A, the last edition’s bronze medallists India tasted a 40-33 defeat at the hands of defending champions Iran.

In the other show of the group, Bangladesh overpowered Thailand 54-33.

The semi-finals will be held on Saturday (tomorrow) and the final on Sunday.

On Friday (today), Pakistan will meet South Korea; India will be pitted against Bangladesh; Sri Lanka will face Oman; and Iran will lock horns with hosts Thailand.

Pakistan have so far bagged eight medals: two gold and three silver in ju-jitsu, two bronze in wrestling and one bronze in squash.