Bahrain Thrash Chinese Taipei 39-27

Bahrain crushed Chinese Taipei 39-27 to make a ruthless start to their Asian Men’s Junior Handball Championship campaign in China, with Abbas Ali named player of the match after a standout display.

The under-21 side took charge early and never let go, running out 12-goal winners in their opening match in Chuzhou.

Bahrain are in Group A with hosts China, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. The top four sides will move into the quarter-finals.

They face Saudi Arabia next, before matches against Hong Kong and Oman, and then close the group stage against China.

Thirteen teams are taking part in the tournament, which runs from July 15 to 27 and doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in North Macedonia.

The four semi-finalists will earn places at the world finals.

Bahrain are coached by Hussam Madan, with former national team player Jaffar Abdulqader as his assistant. Senior international Salman Al Shuwaikh is among the 18-man squad.

Bahrain won the Asian junior crown in 1998, took silver in 1994 and 2022, and bronze in 2018 and 2024. They reached the podium at each of the past three editions.