Bahrain eye final against unbeaten Iran

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s cadet men’s handball team secured their spot in the last four of the Asian Men’s U-17 Championship with a 43-33 win over Chinese Taipei at Princess Sumaya Hall in Amman.

That result, their second win of the main round, sealed runners-up spot in Group One behind South Korea, who drew 29-all with Saudi Arabia to send the Bahrainis through at their rivals’ expense.

Turning point in style

After Chinese Taipei closed to within 9-10, Sayed Ali Ebrahim sparked a 7-2 run that changed the tone of the contest, sending Bahrain into the break 21-14 ahead.

Their opponents cut the gap to 23-25, but the Bahrainis steadied, with Mohamed Fathi Marzooq’s strike making it 34-27. They then finished the job ruthlessly, rattling off five unanswered goals in two minutes.

Stars of the night

Mahmood Ali Ahmed and Sayed Nooh Ali led the scoring with six each, while Mahdi Jaafar Ali, Wadee Ali Hasan, and Sayed Omran Almahafda added five apiece. Ahmed Abdulla contributed four, and Ebrahim chipped in three.

Goalkeeper Ali Mahdi Almahroos was immense, earning Man of the Match honours, presented by Bahrain Handball Federation president Isa Ishaqi.

Semis kick off

Tonight at 9pm Bahrain time, the nationals meet Group Two winners Iran, who arrive unbeaten after dismantling Qatar 46-25. South Korea face Qatar in the earlier semi.

Victory would not only take Bahrain to Thursday’s final but also guarantee their place at next month’s IHF Men’s U-17 World Championship in Morocco.