Qatar to take on Bahrain in Asian Handball final

The Qatari handball team will take on hosts Bahrain in the final match of  the 16th Asian Handball Championship on Thursday. Qatar secured a place in the final match after their hard-fought 23-22 win over Iran at the Khalifa Sports City Gym in Isa Town, Bahrain, on Tuesday. The victors led 12-11 at half-time. The two teams played a strong defensive game in the first half. Qatar goalkeeper Goran Stojanovic was in scintillating form and he saved many sure shots at goal. Iran kept up the pressure until the 46th minute, never giving more than a two-goal cushion. But eventually, they paid a heavy price for losing focus at crucial junctures. Hosts Bahrain also made it to the final, dispatching the UAE 27-20 in the other semifinal. The tournament acts as the Asian qualifying tournament for the 2015 World Men’s Handball Championship in Qatar. Twelve teams are participating in the Asian tournament including Qatar, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, South Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Uzbekistan, China and hosts Bahrain. Source: Qatar Olympic Committee