Bahrain’s Ahli bow to Kuwait SC in Gulf handball

TDT | Manama                                             

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

Bahrain’s Al Ahli Club were dealt a tough start to their campaign in the 39th Gulf Clubs Men’s Handball Championship, being hosted by the Kingdom.

The Bahraini representatives lost to their rivals from Kuwait SC of Kuwait 20-27 in their opening fixture in Group B of the preliminary round. Ahli trailed 10-13 at the half and could not close the gap over the final 30 minutes.

In yesterday’s other Group B game, Sharjah of the UAE and Al Safa of Saudi Arabia played to a 24-all stalemate. Bahrain’s Ahli are now at the bottom of their division table, with Kuwait on top followed by Sharjah and Safa.

Ahli will be looking to bounce back when they return to the playing court at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town tomorrow against Safa at 7pm, while Sharjah and Kuwait lock horns at 5pm.

Group A is comprised of defending champions Al Najma Club, who are Bahrain’s other representatives in the tournament, along with Al Salmiya of Kuwait, Al Arabi of Qatar and Al Ahli Sidab of Oman.

In today’s fixtures, Salmiya and Arabi face off in the early game at 5pm, followed by Najma looking for their second straight win when they play against Ahli Sidab. The preliminaries continue until Monday next week, after which the semi-finals will take place with the top two clubs from each of the two groups advancing.

Najma won last year’s Gulf handball title after defeating Saudi outfit Mudhar in the tournament final in Kuwait City. It was the sixth time the Bahraini side claimed the coveted championship. Their triumph also ended a two-decade title drought, as their previous victories came in 2001, 1998, 1990, 1985 and 1984.