By Sports Reporter/Doha
Qatar’s Al Gharafa held Al Qurain Sporting Club from Kuwait in a thrilling 25-25 finish on the third day of the 17TH Asian Handball Clubs’ League Championship to remain in the contention for the semi-final spot.
The tension was almost visible from the starting throw-off and quickly evolved into one of the most physical matches of this tournament so far as both the teams, after winning their opening group games, were eager to win to stay in contention for the semifinal spots.
Both teams fought for every millimetre using all their physical power and tricks they had and the game was levelled in first-half at 11:11, but the tough character was visible with the high amount of yellow cards and two-minute penalties and also the tournament’s first red card to Gharafa’s Ahmed Ddualeh.
The tight match continued over the second-half, the Kuwaiti team finding ways with their excellent right wing play with Ali Saleh scoring six important goals. The Qatari club’s attack mainly rolled over the middle with Sobhi Saied’s (six goals) one-on-ones and Hany Elfakharany’s cool finishes from the line (five goals).
The game ended in a thrilling finish as the equaliser goal was scored only 30 seconds before the end by Gharafa’s Bader al-Ghamdi. With the draw both teams remain in the competition for a semifinal berth.
“Thank God I saved the last shot, but our initial target was to win the game against a very good team, which became even stronger with the addition of Berkous and Mohamed Zein. The red card shown to Ahmed Ddualeh caused us major problems both in defence and attack. Now we need to rest and get prepared for the next game against Samenalhojaj which is very crucial,” Gharafa’s goal-keeper Missaoui Hamdi said.
Talking about rivals strategy he said, “They kept on pressing us hard and that really exhausted my teammates. That became obvious especially in the last ten minutes.”
Earlier in the day, a solid first-half performance by Al Kuwait Club saw them win 29-22 over Oman’s Ahli Sadab and secure two more valuable points. After a heavy 33-18 defeat by Manyazium Ferdows Club in tournament’s opening game, Sadab team presented a far more encouraging performance against the Kuwaiti champions, especially in the second-half, when they managed to bridge the gap from seven goals to four (16-12) with 24 minutes still remaining. Al-Kuwait though never really felt the pressure and with their top gun Mohammad al-Gharaballi, netting in ten goals, they secured their second win.
‘perform at 100 per cent’
“Before the game we knew that we were favourites but that we still would have to perform at 100 per cent. But we managed to have a good start, which provided us the decisive momentum for the whole game,” Kuwait club’s goalkeeper Gregor Lorger said.
Al Kuwait Club remains the sole Group B team, along with Qatar’s El Jaish, who hasn’t dropped a single point so far and a possible win over Manyazium Ferdows tomorrow would be enough for them to book a place in the semi-finals.
Samenalhojaj from Iran finally managed to show off their full potential against Al Salt Club from Jordan. Starting the game, eagerly on the hunt for their first points, it did not take them long to not only take over full control of the game but also to gain a comfortable lead. The lead was never challenged during the whole game, as Samenalhojaj import Marcin Lijewski showed wise playmaker moves and Dan Beutler sealed the goal. With a nine-goal gap Jordanian champions Al Salt were facing their third defeat already at half-time.
Man of the game was Iranian left back Momenizadeh who scored ten goals. With this 29-17 victory and the draw in the other Group A match, Samenalhojaj’s chances to reach the semi-final are still intact – given that Al Qurain lose their last game to Qatari club Lekhwiya.
Khalij Club delivered when it mattered most in the do-or-die match, the final game of the day against Iranian club Manyazium Ferdows Club. Disregarding the tiredness, which was pretty obvious in both teams especially in the second-half after three matches in as many days, the Saudis seemed more inspired to defy fatigue and run in the fast break. As a result a fragile 13-13 halftime tie was transformed in a 27-21 triumph for Al Khalij Club over Manyazium.
In Group A Lekhwiya is leading with four points out of two games, while in Group B Jaish is leading as well, along with Al Kuwait Club (KUW) with four points out of two games. Today is a rest day of the tournament. The last two rounds of the Preliminary Phase will be played tomorrow and Thursday.
A Gharafa player (in yellow) in action during yesterday’s match
