Al Najma through to semis

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Bahrain’s Al Najma barged yesterday into the semi-finals of the 25th Asian Men’s Club League Championship, currently taking place in Isfahan, Iran.

Najma secured their spot after routing RKOR Tashkent of Uzbekistan 44-28 in their concluding Group B game of the preliminary round.

The result earned them second place on their division standings and secured their tickets to the last four, where they will face off against Al Rayyan of Qatar, who finished as winners of Group A.

Group B toppers Al Duhail, also of Qatar, lock horns with Kazma SC of Kuwait in the other semi-final clash.

Following a rest day today, both semis contests are scheduled to take place tomorrow.

The winners then move on to the gold medal match on Saturday, while the losers battle for the bronze medals that same day.

The Bahrainis led 19-15 at the half in their game against Tashkent yesterday and then stepped it up over the final 30 minutes to extend their winning margin to 16 goals.

That proved crucial in their bid for the last four as it gave them the goal difference they needed to advance from the preliminaries.

Najma, Duhail and last year’s Asian clubs champions Kuwait SC all finished with four wins and one loss from their five Group B games, with Duhail and Najma boasting the best goal differences.

Qassim Qambar was named the Match Most Valuable Player yesterday, and he was awarded a prize post-game for his efforts.

Najma also welcomed Bahrain national team star and inspirational captain Hussain Al Sayyad to the team for his first game with them in the tournament.

In other results yesterday, Duhail defeated Shahid Shameli Kazeroon of Iran 29-23 and Kuwait SC beat Junior Club of China 41-37, both in Group B.

In Group A, Rayyan outclassed Oman Club of Oman 35-21, and Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC of Iran beat T-Sports Club of India 10-0.

The championship has been organised and run by the Asian Handball Federation (AHF). The winners 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.