Egypt narrowly defeated Bahrain 26-25 in a nail-biting friendly match at the Bahrain Handball Federation hall in Um Al Hassam last night.
After leading 14-12 at half-time, Bahrain had started the second half confidently and continued to add to their advantage.
With 20 minutes left in the game, the hosts were leading 18-13 and Egypt looked visibly under pressure.
However, in a sudden shift of momentum which saw the visitors score five goals in as many minutes while Bahrain added none, Egypt managed to draw level at 18-18, with 15 minutes to go.
Bahrain, then, scored another goal with the scoreboard reading 19-18.
But Egypt, who were crowned African champions for the eighth time last June, appeared to have found their mojo, as they scored another five goals in the next five minutes before Bahrain managed to score a single goal again.
With the score now 24-21 in Egypt’s favour and less than 10 minutes to go, Bahrain threw everything they had at their opponents. The tactic worked as the hosts managed to score three goals in succession to draw level at 24-24, but Egypt scored a goal of their own to make it 25-24.
With just over a minute to go till the final buzzer sounded, Bahrain tried desperately to equalise.
Egypt, meanwhile, had other plans. With barely 45 seconds left, the visitors scored once more to go two goals ahead at 26-24.
Bahrain were almost out of time. But they weren’t about to give up as they launched a stirring attack on the Egyptian defence and succeeded in scoring another goal to make it 25-26.
Unfortunately, there were only a few seconds left on the clock and the Egyptian players began to celebrate even before the final buzzer sounded.
The game was the first of two friendlies between the two countries as part of their preparations for the 2023 World Men’s Handball Championship which will be jointly hosted by Poland and Sweden in January. Bahrain are placed in Group H, along with Belgium, Denmark and Tunisia.
The second match will take place tonight, also at the Bahrain Handball Federation hall, at 6.30pm.
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