Qatar’s Al Sadd made a winning start to their campaign in the 2018 IHF Super Globe with a 27-22 quarter-final win over Australia’s Sydney University Handball Club even as three-time champions Barcelona will continue on the road to defend their title after picking up a comfortable 37-28 victory over debutants Al-Najma at Duhail Sports Hall yesterday.
In the final match of the day, Al Sadd claimed another win over their now traditional Super Globe rivals Sydney University Handball Club, who they have faced at the event every year since 2012. Al Sadd took the victory on each occasion except in 2015, and their winning record was extended last night.
Sydney took some time to settle into the game, and early on it looked as though the team were in serious trouble as they fell behind 1-5 after seven minutes. Coach Michael Roth called a time-out in the fifth minute which seemed to have little effect at first, but eventually his team found their rhythm and slowly closed the gap.
The main difference in the opening minutes was Al Sadd’s tough and solid 6-0 defensive wall. Sydney University played efficient and fluid attack led by centre back Jordan Perronneau, and it was Al Sadd’s bright moments rather than any errors on Sydney’s part that led to the opening deficit. Once Sydney found the way to beat Al Sadd’s defence they decreased the gap and equalised 6-6 in the 15th minute. From that point, it was a level game through to the final 20 minutes.
In the second half, both teams changed their defensive systems numerous times, trying offensive formations and falling back to 6-0.
However, it was Sydney’s defence that started to tire while Al Sadd goalkeeper Yussuf Rasheed made some critical saves at the other end of the court, and the hosts slowly crept ahead.
A penalty converted by Sydney captain Tomasz Szklarski in the 38th minute was the last to level the score at 16-16, after which the Australian side were kept scoreless for 11 minutes.
Sydney found the goal again in the 50th, but at that point Al Sadd were confidently on the way to victory.
Al Sadd will now face Fuchse Berlin the semi-final today. The Germans beat Brazilian Taubate 33-25 in their quarter-final encounter.
Earlier, in the first match of the day, the Catalans lived up to their favourite status and secured the expected victory, but it was not without some difficult and frustrating moments.
Barca’s defence was the deciding factor and, led by their steadfast centre back Hussain al-Sayyad, Al-Najma were forced to play long attacks as they looked for shooting opportunities.
Those chances were few and far between early on, thanks to the solid 6-0 defence led by the strong middle block consisting of two of Barca’s 2018-19 season newcomers Ludovic Fabregas and Thiagus Petrus.
After a strong opening that saw Barca allow Al-Najma only one goal in seven minutes, the defending champions stumbled a little, losing the ball in attack on unforced errors on several occasions – but it was not enough to affect their command of the game.
Barca coach Xavi Pascual used the match to practice seven-on-six in attack, and it was this tactic that led to some long-distance goals conceded.
While their opponents had considerable difficulty finding scoring opportunities, Barca hardly missed a shot when they created their chances.
Long before the final whistle, it was clear Barca would move on to the semi-finals while Al-Najma would contest the 5-8 placement games.
The Catalan team will face France’s Montpellier, who beat Tunisia’s Hammamet 31-22, in their last-four game today.
Al Sadd’s Amir Denguir in action during the 2018 IHF Super Globe quarter-final against Sydney University Handball Club at the Duhail Sports Hall yesterday. Denguir and teammate Khalid Haj Youssef scored seven goals each in Al Sadd’s 27-22 win. PICTURES: Anas Khalid
