*** Al Najma cruise to second win | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Al Najma cruise to second win

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Bahrain’s Al Najma cruised to their second successive victory yesterday in the preliminary round of the 25th Asian Men’s Club League Handball Championship, currently being held in Isfahan, Iran.

The Bahrainis outclassed Junior Club of China 38-27 in their third Group B contest of the competition.

Najma held a comfortable 20- 13 lead at the half and built on their advantage over the concluding 30 minutes en route to the final whistle.

The result earned them their second win in three tries, after losing to defending champions Kuwait SC in their opening game but then defeating Al Duhail of Qatar in their follow-up fixture.

Adel Mohammed was named the Most Valuable Player of yesterday’s contest against the Chinese. He was presented an individual award post-game.

Junior Club now have two losses to go with one draw.

In other matches yesterday, Shahid Shameli Kazeroon of Iran beat RKOR Tashkent of Uzbekistan 39-34 in the other Group B clash; while in Group A, Al Rayyan SC of Qatar eased past T-Sports Club of India 35-15 and Kazma SC of Kuwait overcame a tough challenge from Oman Club 34-31.

Today is a rest day in the tournament and action resumes tomorrow.

Najma will continue their preliminary round campaign when they face off with Shahid Shameli before completing this phase against RKOR on Tuesday.

The tournament, organised by the Asian Handball Federation (AHF), continues until Saturday.

The top two teams from each group following the single round-robin move on to the knockout semi-finals on Thursday, while the others will play in the classification fixtures.

The gold and bronze medal games will then take place on the final day of the championship.

The winners of the event will qualify for the 17th IHF Men’s Super Globe, to be held from October 17 to 23 in Saudi Arabia.

Najma are hoping to replicate or improve on their finish in last year’s Asian clubs competition held in Hyderabad, India, where they won the silver medals.