Najma set for Sharjah test in Gulf handball semis

TDT | Manama                                        

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

Bahrain handball giants Al Najma will be looking to go one step further in their title-defence in the 39th Gulf Clubs Men’s Handball Championship when they take on Sharjah Club of the UAE tonight in the semi-finals.

The game is scheduled for a 7pm start at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.

It will be preceded by the other final-four clash between Al Arabi of Qatar and Kuwait SC of Kuwait at 5pm. The winners of both games will meet in the final, scheduled to be held on Friday.

Najma qualified for the last four after finishing in first place in Group A with an undefeated record in three games.

Sharjah were the runners-up in Group B, and they ousted the other Bahraini club in the competition, Al Ahli, for a spot in the semis.

Arabi were classified behind Najma in their pool while Kuwait were top in Group B.

Najma will be looking to bank on the strong play of goalkeeper Mohammed Abdulhussain, Mohammed Habib Mohammed, Mohammed Mirza, Ahmed Al Maqabi, Qassim Qambar, Qassim Al Shuwaikh and Egyptian national team standouts Hassan Kaddah and Ahmed Alahmer.

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.