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Asian Men’s Handball Main Round
Tribune News Network
Suwon (South Korea)
Given their good form, reigning champions Qatar should have a smooth run in the Main Round of the Asian Men's Handball Championship as well which gets under way in Suwon, South Korea, from Monday.
Twice champions and 2015 World silver medallists Qatar are placed in Group 2 along with former double champions Japan. Other two teams are Bahrain, who lost the final to Qatar in 2014 and 2016, and the United Arab Emirates.
Qatar open the crucial stage against Japan, who won the first two editions of the championship and whose last of five appearances in the final was in 2004 when Doha hosted the championship. Kuwait had beaten them 28-24 to claim the third of four continental titles.
In recent years, Japan did make some progress, coming out of the shadow of South Korea. But their efforts have not been able to help them get past the semi-finals. In the last edition in 2016 in Manama, they qualified for the last four stage, but hosts Bahrain knocked them out. However they managed a consolation third-place finish due with an easy victory over Saudi Arabia.
As far as Qatar and Japan clashes are concerned, the former have clinched five consecutive meetings since losing to them in 2010 edition. Overall, Qatar lead 7-3 which does point to the domination of the Gulf team but it does not guarantee a win in Monday's game.
Qatar have been in hot form, topping the four-team Pool D with a clean slate. They struck as many as 122 goals and allowed only 53, which gives them a healthy +69 goals difference. Japan had only two other teams in the Pool A Uzbekistan and Iran. They finished second behind Iran and entered the second stage with a plus six goals difference (70 64). Their lone win came against Uzbekistan and most of the goals were scored by Adam Baig, Shinnosuke Tokuda and Motoki.
Qatar's Anis Zouaoui, Hamad Madadi and Frankis Marzo have been among the goals. Left winger Zouaoui has emerged as the sharpest marksman for the holders, getting 19 strikes to his credit. But it is not only the attack of Qatar that has razor-sharp edge, their defence with experienced Rafael Capote, Betrand Roine, Kamalaldin Mallash and Mahmoud Hasaballa is also solid.
Between Bahrain and the UAE, it is the former who have been able to trouble Qatar a bit.
In the last 10 clashes since drawing 18-18 in the 2010 Qatar International Championship, Qatar have pulled off seven wins, including the two finals of the Asian championships (2014 and 2016). With the UAE, there was a ding-dong battle initially. However after losing 21-31 in the 2009 Gulf Cup, Qatar have clinched all the six clashes they have had.
Qatar coach Valero Rivera has also said after the preliminary stage that his team would not lower its guard, though he is happy with topping the group.
"I am very happy how the boys played and topped the group. Without a doubt the second round will be tougher as the eight best teams in the tournament will be involved and keen on qualifying for the 2019 World Championship in Germany and Denmark.
"Our focus is on qualifying for the World Championship," he added.
Later, Qatar will play Bahrain on Jan 23 and UAE on Jan 24 ahead of the knock-out stage.
