Bahrain make triumphant start

TDT | Manama                                   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain made a spectacular start last night in the 10th IHF Men’s Youth Handball World Championship, being held in Croatia.

The nationals battled hard as they outclassed their counterparts from South Korea 32-28 in both teams’ opening Group D clash. Goalkeeper Talal Alzowayed played a key role in the clutch for the Bahrainis, making a number of key saves that helped them preserve a slim lead until the final buzzer.

Bahrain’s Jaffar Farsan was later named the Player of the Match and he received a prize for his effort. In yesterday’s other Group D fixture, Spain defeated Brazil 38-29. The Bahrainis and Spaniards meet today in a crucial clash for both sides.

The contest is scheduled for a 6.30pm start, Bahrain time. Last night’s match was tight from the opening throw, and both teams matched each other goal for goal over much of the first half.

The Bahrainis took a narrow 14-13 edge into the break. Eight minutes after the restart, the Koreans went ahead 19-17 but Bahrain battled back, tying things once again.

The nationals finally took the lead for good on a Mohammed Abdulla penalty that made it 22-21 with 13 minutes still to play. Alzowayed later made a crucial save on a Korea penalty attempt with three minutes left to keep the Bahrainis in front 29- 27, before Nooh Almusawi converted from six metres to extend their lead to three.

Alzowayed then forced Korea’s next shot to go off target, and then Abdulla iced the game with under two minutes to go. Farsan finished as Bahrain’s leading scorer with nine goals, while Abdulla added seven and Salman Alshowaikh finished with four.

Mohamed Ali and Sayed Mahmood Alfalahi had three a piece, while Abdulla Shuaib and Elias Ali had two each. Bahrain’s scoresheet was rounded off by Abbas Ali and Almusawi, who each contributed one goal.

Jinhyeok Moon and Jihwan Choi were the leading scorers for the Koreans, finishing with seven goals apiece. The Bahrainis are coached by Icelandic tactician Maksim Akbachev. This year's youth handball worlds is its first edition to feature a 32-team field.

There are eight groups of four teams each for the preliminary round. The top two move on to the main round, while the bottom pair will play for the President’s Cup in the lower-tier bracket. Following a rest day tomorrow, the Bahrainis complete their group stage when they go up against the Brazilians, who play the Koreans today.

The Bahrainis qualified for the worlds after placing fifth in the ninth Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship hosted in the Kingdom last year. This year’s competition is the fifth time Bahrain’s flag is being flown at the event. The Bahrainis also played in the 2007, 2011, 2017 and 2019 editions. Their best finish was eighth in 2007, when the competition took place in Bahrain.