Bahrain’s Al Ahli win thriller in Gulf handball
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain’s Al Ahli Club bounced back from an opening-game setback with a last-gasp 22-21 victory over Al Safa of Saudi Arabia last night in the 39th Gulf Clubs Men’s Handball Championship, currently being held in the Kingdom.
Anwar bin Abdulla fired in the winning goal for the Bahrainis with just two seconds remaining on the game clock to break the deadlock.
Safa had roared back in the late stages of the second half after Ahli led for much of the contest.
Ahli opened their tournament campaign with a disheartening 20-27 loss to Kuwait SC in their first Group B assignment, but then did well yesterday to keep their hopes alive of making it through to the semi-finals.
Egyptian national team goalkeeper Karim Hamdawy, who Ahli signed for this competition, played a key role for the Bahraini representatives, making a number of key saves throughout the match to keep his team afloat.
He was later named the Player of the Match.
Ahli led 10-7 at the half and then did well to keep their advantage over the final 30 minutes, during which Safa tied the game at 20-all with three minutes to play.
Things remained close and that set the stage for bin Abdulla’s winner.
Also making important contributions for Ahli were Mahdi Al Qallaf, Ali Mirza, Hassan Shehab, Jassim Al Salatna and Sadiq Ali, to name a few.
Ahli, coached by Ali Anzour, have one game remaining in the preliminary round. It will be tomorrow against Sharjah Club of the UAE.
The contest is scheduled for a 7pm start at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.
Sharjah were dealt a narrow 28-29 loss to Kuwait SC of Kuwait in yesterday’s other Group B game.
Kuwait came away with their second successive victory and are virtually assured of a place in the final four.
They face off with Safa in tomorrow’s early game, starting at 5pm.
Meanwhile, defending Gulf champions Al Najma, who are Bahrain’s other team competing in the event, return to the court today for their final assignment in the preliminaries against Al Arabi of Qatar.
The game is scheduled for 7pm at the same venue, and it will determine the final rankings in Group A.
Najma will be looking to maintain their pristine record in the tournament, having won 27-22 against Al Salmiya of Kuwait in their first match and then defeating Al Ahli Sidab of Oman 33-25 in their follow-up game.
Arabi also head into the clash with an undefeated record, having ousted Ahli Sidab 30-23 and then narrowly beating Salmiya 24-23.
Following tomorrow’s conclusion to the preliminaries, 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.
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