Qatar win handball

Defending champions Qatar caused heartbreak for the hosts as they defeated Bahrain 27-22 last night in the final of the 17th Asian Men’s Handball Championships at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.

The Qataris silenced the packed hall of mainly local supporters in the second round despite going into the half-time break only a goal ahead at 12-11. Qatar, with number of strong squad ‘naturalised’ European players in its ranks, proved too strong for the ‘home’ players.

The finals were attended by HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Athletics Association who presented the winners’ trophy and gold medals to Qatar.

HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa son of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister gave away the silver medals to hosts Bahrain and the bronze medals to Japan were presented by Bahrain Olympic Committee Secretary-General Abdulrahman Askar.

Bahrain coached and managed by Spaniard Fernando Barbito were 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.

Bahrain’s squad that won the runners up this edition comprised 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.