Bahrain’s Al Najma dealt another loss

TDT | Manama                                                   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Al Najma suffered their second straight loss last night in the 26th Asian Men’s Club League Championship, currently being held in Kuwait City.

Najma, the competition’s defending champions, went down fighting 29-31 to Al Gharafa of Qatar in a huge blow to their hopes of retaining their title.

The Bahrainis had previously bowed to Al Khaleej of Saudi Arabia 21-25 in their second Group A game of the preliminary round and could not bounce back yesterday.

They have just one win so far, against Golden Eagle of India in their opener, and have just one fixture remaining against Kuwait Sporting Club of Kuwait tomorrow night.

The game is scheduled for an 8pm start, Bahrain time.

Najma trailed 14-17 at the half, and did well to fight back but could not convert their key chances in the closing minutes.

In another Group A contest yesterday Khaleej edged past Kuwait 24-23.

Group B is composed of Al Qadsiya of Kuwait, Sai of India, Al Arabi of Qatar, Al Jaish of Iraq, Shabab Saida of Lebanon and Al Sharjah of the UAE.

Following a rest day on Saturday next week, the top two teams from each group move on to the semi-finals on Sunday.

The gold and bronze medal matches are then set for the following evening