QNA
Isfahan (Iran)
Qatar club Al Duhail finished as runners-up in the 25th Asian Men’s Club League Handball Championship 2023, being edged 31-30 by Al Najma Club of Bahrain in a thrilling final in the Iranian city of Isfahan on Saturday. The result however saw Al Duhail qualify for the World Championship for inter-continental champions clubs - Super Globe 2023.
The title is the second for Al Najma that they beat the Qatar side, the first time being in the 20th edition held in Hyderabad, India, in 2017.
The marathon final was extended twice into overtime after the regulation period ended in a 22-22 tie and the tie continued to 26-26 before Al Najma prevailed 31-30.
Despite the loss, Al Duhail were the best in many periods, and closest to winning in regular time. They won the first half 13-10 and continued the advantage in the second half and raised the difference to five goals before Al Najma made a big comeback.
Al Duhail had topped the second group in the group stages after winning four matches against Tashkent of Uzbekistan (39-26), Kazma SC of Kuwait (38-35), Junior of China (40-26), and Shahid of Iran (29-23), while losing one match against Al Najma of Bahrain (26-28).
In the semi-final, Al Duhail had defeated Kazma Al Kuwaiti 23-19. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Al Rayyan Club claimed the third place defeating Kazma SC of Kuwait 33-26.
Al Rayyan’s Oussama Hosni was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match.
