Bahrainis take on South Korea in crucial game

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain play a crucial game against South Korea tonight in a tie that will decide their fate in the 21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship, being hosted by the Kingdom.

The nationals are vying for a place in the semi-finals and are currently leaders in Group Two of the competition’s main round.

They have three points from a win and a draw from their two games so far, but Kuwait and the South Koreans are just a point behind on the standings, with Iraq in fourth with one point.

The nationals need to win or at least draw against South Korea to make sure that they advance to the last four.

A loss could possibly knock them out of further title contention. Bahrain’s match with the nine-time winners is scheduled for a 7pm start at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.

Kuwait and Iraq face off at 3pm in another critical clash that will decide the final Group Two ranking and the two advancing semi-finalists.

Powerhouses

Five-time defending champions Qatar and powerhouses Japan have already secured their berths in the final four, having won both their games in Group One so far.

They face off at 5pm today for group supremacy.

In the semis, which are scheduled for Tuesday, the winners of Group One play the runners-up of Group Two, while the winners of Group Two face the runners-up of Group One.

The final will take place on Thursday later this week.

The 21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship also acts as a qualifier for 2025 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship.

The top five senior men’s national teams secure berths in next year’s worlds, to be held in Croatia, Denmark, and Norway.

The Bahrain squad, coached by Icelandic tactician Aron Kristjansson, is spearheaded by inspirational captain and international handball star Hussain Al Sayyad.

The rest of the roster includes Mohammed Abdulhussain, Mohammed Mirza, Ali Mirza, Mohammed Habib Ahmed, Ali Eid, Hassan Shehab, Ahmed Almaqabi, Ahmed Jalal, Hassan Al Samaheeji, Mohammed Habib Nasser, Mujtaba Al Zaimour, Mohammed Hameed, Qassim Qambar, Ahmed Redha, Abdulla Al Zaimour, Hassan Madan, Jassim Khamis, Ali Al Ashiri and goalkeeper Hesham Issa.

The Bahrainis have never won the Asian men’s title, but have claimed the silver medals five times in the past and also won Bahrain’s Mohammed Habib Ahmed…key player the bronze medal once.