Staff Writer
In their penultimate Group B encounter, played in Isfahan, Iran, Qatar’s Al Duhail advanced closer to the semi-finals of the 2023 Asian Men’s Club League Championship with an impressive 40-26 victory over Junior Club of China.
Al Duhail demonstrated their advantage over their Chinese opponents early on in an exciting match that was played at the 25th Aban Arena by taking a 20-15 lead at the break. In the second half, the Junior Club added 11 goals, while the five-time champions (three as El Jaish) increased their lead.
With their convincing win, Al Duhail increased their lead over the competition to six points from three victories. If they beat Iran’s Shahid Shameli Kazeroon in their last Group B encounter today, they will automatically progress to the semifinals.
Al Duhail’s voyage through the competition began with a victory over RKOR Tashkent of Uzbekistan (39-26), followed by a close loss to Al Najma SC of Nahrain (26-28). They swiftly recovered, though, and defeated the defending champions Al Kuwait (38-35) on Saturday.
Also yesterday, former champions Al Rayyan lost their third Group Group A game to Kuwaiti club Kazma at the same location, handing them their first loss of the competition.
Al Rayyan made a spirited attack in the second half despite trailing 8-14 at the break, but they came up just one point short, losing 26-27 in one of the tournament’s most exciting games thus far.
Al Rayyan had previously defeated India’s T-Sports Club (35-15) and Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan of Iran (31-23).
If they defeat Oman Club tonight in their final Group A match, they will automatically advance to the semifinals.
Thursday’s semi-finals will be followed by the championship match on June 10.
The competition acts as a qualifying round for the eagerly awaited IHF Men’s Super Globe in 2023, with the winning team obtaining direct tickets to the competition, which will take place in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in October.
It’s important to note that Al Sadd of Qatar holds the record for winning the most championships in the competition’s history, having done so five times.
