Barbar and Al Ahli Strike First

TDT | Manama

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Matchday 1 of the 2025–2026 Khalid bin Hamad Bahrain Handball League Golden Square semi-finals began yesterday, as Barbar edged Al Najma on shootouts while Al Ahli defeated Al Shabab in tight encounters across both best-of-three ties.

In the first semi-final, Barbar defeated Al Najma 35–32 on penalties after a 31–31 draw in regulation time. Barbar started strongly, controlling the opening stages and building an 18–14 half-time lead, with Ali Abdulqader and Mohammed Jassim instrumental in establishing a four-goal cushion.

Al Najma responded after the break through Mohammed Habib, gradually erasing the deficit despite disciplinary setbacks. The reigning champions surged ahead in the closing stages and looked set to clinch it, leading 30–29 at 29:06.

However, a late twist turned the tide. Salman Al Showaikh produced a stunning equaliser with less than two seconds remaining to make it 31–31 and force a shootout. In the penalties, Barbar held their nerve as misses from Ahmed Jalal and Mohammed Habib proved costly, while Showaikh — who scored nine goals — was named MVP.

Barbar player Sayed Ammar Al Wadaei told TDT: “It was an excellent performance from us, we were the better team, alhamdulillah. One step remains. We will correct our mistakes and, insha’Allah, we will win the second match.”

In the second semi-final, Al Ahli defeated Al Shabab 33–31 after controlling much of the match. Al Ahli dominated early, racing to a 25–18 half-time lead. Their opponents mounted a second-half fightback, cutting the gap to four goals with under six minutes remaining, but Al Ahli managed the closing stages effectively to seal a 1–0 series lead.

Game 2 takes place on Thursday, with Al Ahli facing Al Shabab at 5:30pm and Al Najma meeting Barbar at 7:30pm, followed by Game 3 fixtures on Saturday if required. All matches are being held at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.