Rafael Capote (centre) of Qatar in action against Alexander Hermann (left) of Austria during the Qatar 2015 24th Men's Handball World Championship round of 16 match at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall.
AFP/Doha
Hosts Qatar edged through to the quarter-finals of the World Handball championships with a narrow 29-27 win over Austria on Sunday.
The win sparked jubilant scenes among a packed crowd at the Lusail sports stadium as the host side kept alive the dream of a home victory at the championships.
The Qataris had overturned a 14-13 deficit at the break to clinch a last-eight spot against either Germany or Egypt, who play on Monday.
But the defeated Austrians were clearly aggrieved by some of the refereeing decisions and some of their players mockingly applauded officials at the end of the game.
In a tense finale, the Qataris just about held on thanks to some fine individual performances, including once more from veteran goalkeeper Danijel Saric, who made several fine stops.
Cuban-born Rafael Capote again won the man of the match award for his seven goals.
Zarko Markovic scored eight and Bertrand Roine five for the home side.
After the game, Qatar's coach Valero Rivera, said the result made him "very happy for all the people of Qatar".