Qatar players celebrate after qualifying for the semi-final.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar stayed on course for a seventh successive Asian crown after defeating the United Arab Emirates 25-20 in a Group stage match of the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship at the Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah Covered Halls in Sabah Al Salem, Kuwait, yesterday.
The victory secured Qatar’s place in the semi-finals, where the defending champions will face hosts Kuwait tomorrow.
Qatar, coached by Valero Rivera Lopez, topped Group II with two wins and four points, same as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but finished first on superior head-to-head goals scored.
Kuwait, meanwhile, placed second in their group, while Japan finished on top.
Favourites Qatar, who arrived in Kuwait having won last six Asian titles from 2014 to 2024, dominated the proceedings since the kick off of their final match in the main round yesterday. The UAE remained competitive early, but Qatar gradually pulled clear to lead the match 14-8 at half time. While Qatar maintained a clear lead, UAE tried to close the gap, but the title-holders prevailed at the end to advance to the last for the eighth time in a row.
Hama Mohamed led the scoring for Qatar with eight goals. Ahmad Madadi added five, while Marzou Franks scored three. Guehis Amine scored twice, while Murad Abdulrazzaq, Eldar Memisevic, Nasreddine Megdich, Abdulla Abderrahman, Aladine Berrached, Heiba Moustafa and Wael Mzoughi each scored once.
Qatar will now focus on the semi-final against Kuwait, aiming to move one step closer to another continental title.
The 22nd edition of the Championship also serves as a qualification tournament for the 2027 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship in Germany.
