Qatar secure Asian Games handball silver after narrow defeat in final

NAGOYA, Japan : Qatar’s men’s handball team won the silver medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after losing 33-32 to Bahrain in the final.

The result gave Bahrain their first Asian Games handball gold medal, while Qatar settled for silver after winning the title at the previous three editions in Incheon in 2014, Jakarta in 2018 and Hangzhou in 2022.

The final remained closely contested throughout, with Bahrain taking advantage of several Qatar errors to secure the narrow victory.

The teams exchanged goals in the opening stages, with Bahrain taking the lead on several occasions before Qatar levelled. Bahrain went into halftime 16-15 ahead.

Qatar drew level at 19-19 five minutes into the second half before Bahrain moved 21-19 ahead. Qatar reduced the deficit to one at 23-22, but Bahrain maintained their advantage and led 30-26 in the 22nd minute.

Qatar responded with three successive goals to cut the gap to 30-28 and later 31-29. Bahrain restored a three-goal lead at 32-29, but Qatar again fought back to make it 32-31.

Qatar had opportunities to draw level in the closing stages, but Bahrain held on to win 33-32 and claim their first Asian Games handball title.

The silver medal ends Qatar’s run of three consecutive Asian Games golds, while Bahrain’s victory marks a new milestone for their men’s handball team.