ISLAMIC SOLIDARITY GAMES – BAHRAIN bowed to hosts Saudi Arabia 21-27 yesterday in the men’s handball tournament of the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games, currently being held in Riyadh.
The Bahrainis struggled in the first half when they were held to just nine goals while conceding 17. They then tried to battle back over the remaining 30 minutes, but the deficit proved too big to overcome.
The nationals fell behind by as many as nine after the break and were able to get to within five, 15-20, following a Hasan Mirza goal with just over 20 minutes left to play. That was as close as they would get, however, as the Saudis held on for their second successive victory.
Salman Alshowaikh was the top scorer for Bahrain in the defeat with eight goals, while Mirza contributed three. Hasan Al Samaheeji, Ahmed Kadhem, Jassim Khamis, and skipper Hussain Al Sayyad all chipped in with two goals apiece.
Mojtaba Al Salem paced the Saudis in their triumph with seven conversions, while three others had five, including Sadiq Almohsin, Alabas Mohammed, and Hassan Alturaiki.
The Bahrainis lost for the first time in the competition after opening their medal bid with a thrilling single-goal win against Kuwait. They conclude their campaign in Group B of this preliminary stage tomorrow when they face Iraq at 2pm.
The Iraqis bowed to their Kuwaiti counterparts 23-33 in another divisional clash yesterday.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Qatar outclassed the UAE 41-24 and Iran crushed the Maldives 57-14.
At the end of this stage, the top two teams from each pool move on to the semi-finals, which are scheduled for Wednesday, while the bronze medal game will be held on Thursday and the gold medal match on Friday.
Elsewhere yesterday in the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games, Bahrain’s Sara Jallab narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the women’s under-70kg weight class.
Jallab lost the second of two bronze medal contests 0-2 against Elizabeth Anyanacho from Nigeria. She appeared in that stage after losing her quarter-final bout against Ozoda Sobirjonova from Uzbekistan 0-2.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s athletics and 3x3 basketball national teams begin their quests for gold and glory today in the Saudi capital.
Two of the kingdom’s top track stars will have an opportunity to add to the Bahraini delegation’s already impressive tally of 12 medals, including five gold, three silver, and four bronze. They are former Olympic champion Ruth Jebet and Violah Jepchumba Motosio, both of whom will be running in the women’s 10,000 metres final, scheduled for a 9.50pm start.
Also hitting the track today at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium is Zouhair Aouad. The middle-distance specialist will be running in the men’s 1,500m first round, scheduled for an 11.20am start.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s 3x3 basketball team comprising Sayed Mohammed Hameed, Mohammed Buallay, Bogdan Dragovic, and Milos Supica will play two games today in the first of three days of half-court action.
The Bahrainis are in Group A and will first face their counterparts from Egypt at 6.15pm before taking on Saudi at 9.35pm.
Also today, Bahrain’s Abdulaziz Aldoseri will be competing in the men’s over-82kg category. He will first face Ali Ahmadi from Iran in the round of 16 today morning. Should he advance, the quarter-finals, semi-finals, repechage, and medal matches will be held later in the day.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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