Bahrain Chase Fourth Win Against Korea
A group-defining test awaits Bahrain Today, when they face South Korea with a fourth straight win and top spot in Group A at stake at the 11th Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship in Amman.
The under-19 side meet the Koreans at Princess Sumaya Hall at 4pm Bahrain time, with both teams on six points after winning all three of their matches.
Bahrain are already through to Friday’s quarter-finals. A win on Wednesday would send Mohamed Soliman’s men through as Group A winners.
They sealed their last-eight place with a 36-28 win over Uzbekistan on Sunday, although Uzbekistan made them work for it.
Bahrain led only 17-15 at half-time before pulling clear after the break. Four of the first five goals took them 21-16 ahead, and the lead later grew to eight at 28-20.
Mohammed Marzooq led Bahrain with 11 goals from 15 attempts.
Mahdi Ali scored with all six of his shots, while goalkeeper Ali Mahroos made 11 saves and was named Man of the Match.
It followed two much easier wins.
Bahrain beat India 51-20 in their opener before beating hosts Jordan 41-19.
Three games. Three wins. Bahrain have scored 128 goals and conceded 67.
South Korea have also won all three of their matches, although they had to come from behind against Jordan on Monday night.
The Koreans trailed 12-10 at half-time before recovering to win 25-24 and make it three victories from three.
That result followed a 47-29 win over Uzbekistan and a 37-27 victory against India.
Wednesday’s meeting will decide the battle for first place between the only two unbeaten sides in Group A.
The other group fixture takes place two hours later, with Uzbekistan facing hosts Jordan at 6pm.
Bahrain are playing in the championship for the 10th time and are chasing a third Asian crown under Soliman, after winning the title in 2016 and 2018. They also took bronze in 2010.
The tournament doubles as Asia’s qualifier for the 2027 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, which will be held from July 29 to August 9 next year.
The top four sides at the Asian championship qualify for the worlds, leaving Bahrain one knockout victory away from securing their place.
The quarter-finals will be played on Friday, followed by the semi-finals on Saturday. The bronze-medal match and final will take place on August 31.
First comes South Korea, with first place in Group A on the line.
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