HANDBALL – AL Ahli eked out a hard-earned 36-33 victory over Barbar last night in matchweek 17 of the 2025-26 Khalid Bin Hamad Bahrain Handball League.
The tightly contested affair was played at the Bahrain Handball Federation Arena in Um Al Hassam Sports Complex, with no fans in attendance.
Ahli held a slim 17-15 lead at the break, but after Barbar drew level early in the second half, Ahli pulled away and went ahead by as many as five goals in the closing minutes. Barbar tried to stay in the fight and got to within two late on, but Ahli held on to come away with the narrow win.
The result earned Ahli their 13th triumph in 15 fixtures as they improved to 41 points on the 11-team table – tied with fellow-title contenders Al Shabab and four behind unbeaten league leaders and defending champions Al Najma. Barbar were dealt their seventh loss as they improved to 34 points to remain in fourth place.
In another round 17 game yesterday, Al Tadhamun overcame Al Ettifaq 36-31.
Tadhamun led 20-14 at the end of the opening half and maintained their cushion over the concluding 30 minutes.
Tadhamun claimed their seventh win in 15 outings with the result as they rose to 30 points, while Ettifaq suffered their 12th defeat and went to 24 points amongst the bottom three on the standings.
Matchweek 17 continues tonight and tomorrow at the same venue. This evening, Tubli take on bottom-ranked Bahrain Club at 5.30pm followed by Al Ettihad facing Samaheej at 7.15pm.
Tomorrow, Najma go up against Shabab in a mouth-watering clash between two of the league’s top three clubs.
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