HANDBALL – AL Shabab and Al Najma set up an exciting final clash last night for the 2024-25 Bahrain Super Cup in handball.
Shabab advanced to the title-deciding contest following a thrilling 36-35 victory on penalties against Al Ahli in a game marred by the tragic passing of a Shabab fan at the Bahrain Handball Federation (BHF) Arena in Umm Al Hassam.
Najma followed suit, posting a resounding 32-22 win against Al Dair in the other fixture of the round of four.
The Bahrain Super Cup is the traditional opening match of each new national handball season. This year is the first time it is being held over multiple games and with four teams taking part.
The final was originally scheduled to be played this evening with a 7pm throw-off at the same venue. But the BHF announced late last night that it has been postponed, with the new date set to be announced later.
The final is a re-match of last season’s Bahrain Super Cup, which Najma secured with a 23-21 win against Shabab.
In Shabab’s victory yesterday, the game was tight from the opening possession and the two teams went into the half tied at 16-apiece. Later, with only seconds remaining in regulation and the score deadlocked at 31-all, Shabab goalkeeper Qassim Al Showaikh made a crucial save on an attempt by Ahli international Qassim Qambar on a fastbreak. That sent the match into the penalty shootout.
There, Shabab were flawless, and a Sadeq Ali conversion put them ahead 33-32. After things remained level at 35-all, Shabab’s Mohammed Alqamer stepped up for the decisive throw and made no mistake with his effort to secure the single-goal victory.
Shabab players and team members opted to limit any celebrations after learning of the passing of senior club supporter Saeed Abdulwahed, who was watching the game from the stands.
Meanwhile, Najma were in a class of their own in their triumph against Dair.
They boasted their reinforced line-up that saw the return of superstar national team goalkeeper Mohammed Abdulhussain and top names such as Mohammed Habib Ahmed, Mohammed Mirza, Mujtaba Al Zaimour, Ahmed Al Maqabi, Ahmed Jalal, and Hassan Mirza, among others.
They led 16-9 at the interval and never wavered the rest of the way.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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