Bahrain and Qatar enter Asian Handball final

Hosts Bahrain defeated two-time champions Japan 29-23 last night in the semi-finals of the 17th Asian Men’s Handball Championships at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.

Bahrain coached and managed by Spaniard Fernando Barbito are making a 14th appearance in the finals having been semi-finalists in 2014 and 2010 and third back in 1995 and qualified for the World Championship for the first time in 2011.

The national team held a useful 15-10 lead at half-time and made sure of its place in the final with a good second half performance.

Bahrain’s squad comprises Mahdi Madan, Jaafar Abdul Kader, Mohammed Habib, Hussain Al Sayyad, Mahdi Saad, Mohammed Mirza, Salah Abdul Jaleel, Mohammed Abdul Hussain, Bilal Basham, Sadiq Ali, Hassan Al Samaheji, Mahmood Abdul Qader Ali, Ali Hussain, Ali Abdul Qader, Hassan Shehab Al Fardan, Ali Mirza, Ali Al Khazna, Mohammed Al Maqabi and Ahmed Al Maqabi.

Meanwhile, defending champion Qatar beat Saudi Arabia 23-13 after being run close 12-9 at half-time and play the hosts (Bahrain) tomorrow at 6pm, while Saudi Arabia and Japan play-off for third place at 4pm.

Meanwhile today, the 9th-11th placings sees China take on Lebanon at 3pm, and the 7th-8th is UAE at 5pm and the 5th-6th sees nine-time winner South Korea and Iran.

This championship serves as a qualifier for the 2017 Men’s Handball World Championships in France with Qatar already qualified as world runners-up along with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the winner of today’s South Korea/Iran match.