Al Najma pair named onto Asian clubs All-Star Team

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Al Najma standouts Mohammed Abdulhussain and Mohammed Habib Naser were both named onto the All-Star Team for the 25th Asian Men’s Club League Championship, which came to a thrilling close Saturday night in Isfahan, Iran.

Najma were crowned champions in the tournament following a thrilling 31-30 double overtime victory over Al Duhail of Qatar in the final.

Abdulhussain and Naser had key roles in the Bahrainis’ march to the title, and both were among the individual awardees to be presented with trophies for their performances in the competition.

Abdulhussain was named the Best Goalkeeper, while Naser was the Best Centre Back.

Rami Fekih from Qatar’s Al Rayyan was the championship’s Most Valuable Player, while Duhail’s Allaedine Berrached was the Best Right Wing, Kazma’s Anouar Ben Abdallah the Best Right Back, teammate Fawaz Al Mashari was the Best Left Wing, Duhail’s Rafael Capote the Best Left Back and Rayyan’s Youssef Ali was the Best Pivot.

Najma claimed the Asian clubs title for only the second time in tournament history, adding to their previous triumph in 2017 when the competition was held in Hyderabad, India.

Najma were also winners over Duhail in that year’s clincher, 21-16. To go along with their crown, Najma also booked the sole Asian berth in the 17th IHF Men’s Super Globe, to be held from October 17 to 23 in Saudi Arabia.

This prestigious annual event is contested between 12 champion clubs from continental federations, and Najma will be participating for the second time, following the 2018 edition when they were seventh.

Najma appeared on the podium for the fifth time in the Asian Handball Federation event. They had also claimed the silver medals twice in 2015 and last year, and the bronze once in 2001.