Bahrain will face Japan tonight in the final of the 17th Asian Men’s Junior Handball Championship with the hosts hoping to win their second title since the tournament’s inception in 1988.
Everyone in the kingdom would be rooting for the young team when they step onto the court at Khalifa Sports City, a senior Bahrain Handball Federation (BHF) official said.
“I think we have a very good chance to win the cup,” BHF secretary general, Khalid Al Najem, told the Gulf Daily News in an exclusive interview. “We have reached the final for the first time in 24 years and, even though we will be facing tough opponents, I am confident that our boys will play well.”
Bahrain’s first tournament win came in 1998, incidentally, also, as hosts, when they defeated Saudi Arabia 24-17.
The Saudis were also their opponents in the second semi-final on Friday when Bahrain, led by inspirational performances by Mohammed Rabie and goalkeeper Hisham Issa, sauntered into the final on the back of a comfortable, 31-26, triumph.
Japan’s semi-final win earlier, however, came after a heart-stopping final minute of the game when they not only managed to deny five-time champions, Kuwait, the opportunity to equalise after leading 27-26 as the game entered its last few seconds but also scored one last point to eke out a dramatic 2-point win.
The Japanese will be hoping to go the distance this time after finishing as runners-up in 2018 to eventual champions, South Korea, in their only previous appearance in a final. The tournament could not be held in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
All of Bahrain’s matches have been played before capacity crowds and Al-Najem said support from spectators would play a major role in motivating the home team to give their best.
“The fans’ support will boost our team’s morale,” he explained. “It is going to be a tough game, a difficult game. Japan are formidable opponents but we played them in a group game and drew 31-31 with them. This time, we hope to take the lead early and hold it. I am confident that we can win!”
Both finalists were slotted in Group B of the eight-team tournament and both remained unbeaten, winning two games each before the stalemate against each other. Defending champions, South Korea, who were placed in Group A, did not make it past the group stage.
Veteran coach Adel Al Sabba’a will be hoping that, along with goalie Issa and forward Rabie, other key players including Jassim Khamis, Ahmed Salem, Ali Mohammed and Ahmed Alwani are also able to reprise their exploits from the semi-final against the Saudis.
The game will start at 6.30pm, local time.
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