Bahrain set for Asian handball semis

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain take on Japan tonight while five-time defending champions Qatar face Kuwait in the semi-finals of the 21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship, currently being hosted by the Kingdom.

The Bahrainis are aiming to make it to the final for the second straight edition and for the fifth time in the last six tournaments.

The hosts are gunning for their first-ever Asian men’s title, having won the silver medals five times in the past and the bronze once, but never being able to climb to the summit.

Bahrain and Japan lock horns at 6.30pm, after the Qataris and Kuwaitis go head-to-head in their all-Gulf clash at 4pm. Both games are set to be played at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.

Entrance is free and all fans are welcome to attend. Meanwhile, in games yesterday at the same venue, South Korea scored the game-winning goal with less than 10 seconds remaining as they overcame Iran 27-26 to take fifth place overall in the championship.

The UAE were also victorious against Iraq 28-23 to secure seventh on the final standings.

Elsewhere yesterday, Chinese Taipei beat Oman 33-27 to claim 11th overall, while Hong Kong edged past Kazakhstan 35-32 to finish 13th on the final classification.

New Zealand took 15th from the 16 participating nations after defeating India 36-31.

Prior to today’s semi-finals, the final for the Martyr Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah Cup will take place at 2pm between China and Saudi Arabia.