Qatar’s Al Arabi lift 41st Gulf club handball title
Published: 05:02 PM,Feb 24,2025 | EDITED : 09:02 PM,Feb 24,2025
MUSCAT, FEB 24
Qatar’s Al Arabi lifted their maiden title of the 41st Gulf Handball Club Championship after beating Kuwait SC 33-32 in a thrilling summit clash at indoor hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Monday night. The first half of the match ended in favour of the Qatari team by 18-15 while they managed to confirm their domination in the deciding half as they finished the second half by 33-32 to secure the title.
Earlier, in a bronze-medal playoff match, Qatar’s Al Rayyan club edged past Al Noor club from Saudi Arabia 39-21 in a one-sided match. Al Rayyan dominated in the both halves to clinch a crucial win over Saudi club and claim the third place. The hosts, Oman Club, finished fifth as they ended their fifth and sixth playoff with a 32-27 victory over Dibba Al Huson from the UAE. Oman’s other representative Seeb ended in the seventh place as they received a 34-26 loss against Dibba Al Huson.
In the final, Qatar’s Al Arabi began the opening half strongly as they were seeking for their historic title. Al Arabi, who edged Al Noor in the semifinals, took the lead by two points through active movement of Garca Goncalo in the front line. Al Arabi’s goalie Ahmed al Minewai managed to save many scoring goals from the opponent after several chances made by Meshal al Shammari and Shady Ramadhan.
In the second half, Kuwait club, who beat defending champions Al Rayyan in the semifinal, bounced back strongly as they reduced the gap to one point through Shady Ramadhan who made it 18-17. Al Arabi’s Garca took the advantage of rivals mistakes to extend their lead by 24-20. Al Arabi players pressed hard towards Kuwait side as they strengthen the lead by 32-27.
Kuwait players focused in their attacking and managed to reduce the gap at 32-31 through active show of Frankis Marzo and Angel Zulueta. In the dying minutes, Al Arabi reserved their lead to end the match at 33-32 and capture the long awaiting title. The best player in the match was Garca from Al Arabi club.
Chief guest for the final, Talal bin Said al Maamari, CEO of Omantel, awarded the trophy and gold medals to the winners while runner-ups Kuwait SC received the silver medals and Al Rayyan SC bagged bronze medals.
Dr Nabil Ashour, Chairman of UAE Handball Association, Hassan Nasser Hilal, Chairman of Saudi Arabia Handball Association, and Moosa bin Khamis al Balushi, Chairman of Oman Handball Association and Marzooq al Ghanim, Chairman of Kuwait SC were present besides officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) and passionate fans.
Qatar’s Al Arabi lifted their maiden title of the 41st Gulf Handball Club Championship after beating Kuwait SC 33-32 in a thrilling summit clash at indoor hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Monday night. The first half of the match ended in favour of the Qatari team by 18-15 while they managed to confirm their domination in the deciding half as they finished the second half by 33-32 to secure the title.
Earlier, in a bronze-medal playoff match, Qatar’s Al Rayyan club edged past Al Noor club from Saudi Arabia 39-21 in a one-sided match. Al Rayyan dominated in the both halves to clinch a crucial win over Saudi club and claim the third place. The hosts, Oman Club, finished fifth as they ended their fifth and sixth playoff with a 32-27 victory over Dibba Al Huson from the UAE. Oman’s other representative Seeb ended in the seventh place as they received a 34-26 loss against Dibba Al Huson.
In the final, Qatar’s Al Arabi began the opening half strongly as they were seeking for their historic title. Al Arabi, who edged Al Noor in the semifinals, took the lead by two points through active movement of Garca Goncalo in the front line. Al Arabi’s goalie Ahmed al Minewai managed to save many scoring goals from the opponent after several chances made by Meshal al Shammari and Shady Ramadhan.
In the second half, Kuwait club, who beat defending champions Al Rayyan in the semifinal, bounced back strongly as they reduced the gap to one point through Shady Ramadhan who made it 18-17. Al Arabi’s Garca took the advantage of rivals mistakes to extend their lead by 24-20. Al Arabi players pressed hard towards Kuwait side as they strengthen the lead by 32-27.
Kuwait players focused in their attacking and managed to reduce the gap at 32-31 through active show of Frankis Marzo and Angel Zulueta. In the dying minutes, Al Arabi reserved their lead to end the match at 33-32 and capture the long awaiting title. The best player in the match was Garca from Al Arabi club.
Chief guest for the final, Talal bin Said al Maamari, CEO of Omantel, awarded the trophy and gold medals to the winners while runner-ups Kuwait SC received the silver medals and Al Rayyan SC bagged bronze medals.
Dr Nabil Ashour, Chairman of UAE Handball Association, Hassan Nasser Hilal, Chairman of Saudi Arabia Handball Association, and Moosa bin Khamis al Balushi, Chairman of Oman Handball Association and Marzooq al Ghanim, Chairman of Kuwait SC were present besides officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) and passionate fans.