The Peninsula
Reigning champions Qatar look well on track to defend their title at the AHF Asian Beach Handball Championship as they defeated Vietnam 2-1 to record their fifth consecutive win and top group in Weihai, China yesterday.
The four-time Asian champions maintained their form in their match against Vietnam to remain the only unbeaten team in the event.
Yesterday’s win also took Qatar’s points tally to 10 from five matches in Group A.
Previously in the group stage, Qatar had defeated Chinese Taipei, Afghanistan, Philippines and Indonesia, all in straight sets.
Despite yesterday’s defeat to Qatar, Vietnam, who have accumulated eight points, will join Al Annabi in the semi-finals which will take place tomorrow.
In Group B, Iran lost their only match of the tournament yesterday when they were outplayed by Oman 2-1, with both teams advancing into the semis. Group B includes Oman, Iran, Thailand, Pakistan, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
Top two teams of each group advance to the semis while the rest of the teams will compete for 5 to 12 spots. The final will take place on June 24.
The championship in China serves as a qualifier for both the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games in Qatar and the 2020 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball Championships to be held in Italy.
The top two teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions will receive a direct ticket to Italy.