Qatar’s handball team booked their place in the semi-finals of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh after defeating the UAE 41–24 yesterday in their second Group A match. The victory lifts Qatar to four points and guarantees top spot in the group ahead of their final preliminary match against the Maldives tomorrow.
Despite a sluggish opening 10 minutes, during which lapses in concentration allowed the Emirati side to keep pace, Qatar soon asserted control. Strong defending and swift counter-attacks saw the team pull ahead 9–5. Even after the UAE coach called a timeout, Qatar maintained their momentum, stretching the lead to 11–5.
Coach Valero Rivera took advantage of the comfortable margin to rotate his lineup, but the dominance continued as Qatar pushed the gap to 15–7. The first half ended with Qatar firmly in front at 19–11.
Qatar carried their rhythm into the second half, extending the lead to 23–13 before a brief dip in finishing allowed the UAE to close the gap to 24–18. Rivera responded with a timeout, which quickly restored stability.
Qatar regained control and pulled away once more, leading 31–21 before widening the margin to 37–22. The UAE attempted a late push, but Qatar’s defense held firm as the team closed out a commanding 41–24 win.
Qatar’s goals came from: Eldar Memisevic (7), Francis Marzo (6), Ahmed Madadi and Mohammed Hammam (5 each), Mustafa Heiba (4), Wissam Nawar, Abdulrahman Tariq and Alaa El-Din Balrashid (3 each),
Abdulrazzaq Murad (2), and Amin Qahis, Wael al-Mazoughi and Jovan Gacevic (1 each).
Eight teams are contesting the handball competition, with the top two from each group advancing to Wednesday’s semi-finals. Qatar won the gold medal at the previous edition in Konya, Turkey, in 2022, defeating the hosts 26–23 in the final.
Team captain Ahmed Madadi praised the players’ discipline and focus. “Praise be to God for this victory, which came as a result of great concentration from all the players and adherence to the coaching plan,” he said. “Facing the UAE is never easy, but we entered determined to secure qualification. Our focus now shifts to the final rounds—our ambition is to retain the gold medal.”
Men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams begin campaign today.
Qatar’s men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams open their campaigns today at Riyadh Boulevard.
The men face Ivory Coast in their first match before meeting Turkey and Iran tomorrow. They have been drawn in Group B alongside Iran, Turkey and Ivory Coast. Group A features Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain and Egypt.
The women’s team meets Algeria today before facing Iran and Egypt tomorrow. They compete in Group B with Egypt, Algeria and Iran, while Group A includes Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Ivory Coast.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for Wednesday’s finals.
Qatar’s men’s squad: Mohammed Absher, Mustafa Ndao, Mubarak Jama, Dejan Yanic.
Women’s squad: Alia Sulaiman, Dana Al-Sayed, Mona Al-Sayed, Sama Jasser.
Noor and Maram to compete in taekwondo
Qatari athletes Noor Mohammed (over 70kg) and Maram Fatnasi (under 63kg) begin their taekwondo events today at the Martial Arts Hall in Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City.
Qatar’s athletes begin track and field challenge
Qatar’s athletics team also begins its campaign today at the Games, which will run for four days at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City track. Qatar’s participants include: 400m: Ashraf Osman, Hussein Ibrahim; 800m: Abubaker Haidar; Hammer throw: Ashraf El-Saifi, Ahmed El-Saifi; Discus: Muath Ibrahim; Shot put: Ahmed Jibril. Paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Abdulqader also competes today in the shot put.
Fencing action begins
Fencing competitions open today with Qatar’s Mohammed Abdulali and Abdulrahman al-Jadra competing in the individual epee event at Riyadh Boulevard.
Despite a sluggish opening 10 minutes, during which lapses in concentration allowed the Emirati side to keep pace, Qatar soon asserted control. Strong defending and swift counter-attacks saw the team pull ahead 9–5. Even after the UAE coach called a timeout, Qatar maintained their momentum, stretching the lead to 11–5.
Coach Valero Rivera took advantage of the comfortable margin to rotate his lineup, but the dominance continued as Qatar pushed the gap to 15–7. The first half ended with Qatar firmly in front at 19–11.
Qatar carried their rhythm into the second half, extending the lead to 23–13 before a brief dip in finishing allowed the UAE to close the gap to 24–18. Rivera responded with a timeout, which quickly restored stability.
Qatar regained control and pulled away once more, leading 31–21 before widening the margin to 37–22. The UAE attempted a late push, but Qatar’s defense held firm as the team closed out a commanding 41–24 win.
Qatar’s goals came from: Eldar Memisevic (7), Francis Marzo (6), Ahmed Madadi and Mohammed Hammam (5 each), Mustafa Heiba (4), Wissam Nawar, Abdulrahman Tariq and Alaa El-Din Balrashid (3 each),
Abdulrazzaq Murad (2), and Amin Qahis, Wael al-Mazoughi and Jovan Gacevic (1 each).
Eight teams are contesting the handball competition, with the top two from each group advancing to Wednesday’s semi-finals. Qatar won the gold medal at the previous edition in Konya, Turkey, in 2022, defeating the hosts 26–23 in the final.
Team captain Ahmed Madadi praised the players’ discipline and focus. “Praise be to God for this victory, which came as a result of great concentration from all the players and adherence to the coaching plan,” he said. “Facing the UAE is never easy, but we entered determined to secure qualification. Our focus now shifts to the final rounds—our ambition is to retain the gold medal.”
Men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams begin campaign today.
Qatar’s men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams open their campaigns today at Riyadh Boulevard.
The men face Ivory Coast in their first match before meeting Turkey and Iran tomorrow. They have been drawn in Group B alongside Iran, Turkey and Ivory Coast. Group A features Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain and Egypt.
The women’s team meets Algeria today before facing Iran and Egypt tomorrow. They compete in Group B with Egypt, Algeria and Iran, while Group A includes Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Ivory Coast.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for Wednesday’s finals.
Qatar’s men’s squad: Mohammed Absher, Mustafa Ndao, Mubarak Jama, Dejan Yanic.
Women’s squad: Alia Sulaiman, Dana Al-Sayed, Mona Al-Sayed, Sama Jasser.
Noor and Maram to compete in taekwondo
Qatari athletes Noor Mohammed (over 70kg) and Maram Fatnasi (under 63kg) begin their taekwondo events today at the Martial Arts Hall in Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City.
Qatar’s athletes begin track and field challenge
Qatar’s athletics team also begins its campaign today at the Games, which will run for four days at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City track. Qatar’s participants include: 400m: Ashraf Osman, Hussein Ibrahim; 800m: Abubaker Haidar; Hammer throw: Ashraf El-Saifi, Ahmed El-Saifi; Discus: Muath Ibrahim; Shot put: Ahmed Jibril. Paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Abdulqader also competes today in the shot put.
Fencing action begins
Fencing competitions open today with Qatar’s Mohammed Abdulali and Abdulrahman al-Jadra competing in the individual epee event at Riyadh Boulevard.