KUWAIT: Defending champions Qatar booked their place in the final of the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship on Tuesday after edging hosts Kuwait 27-26 in a dramatic semi-final that went to extra time.
Kuwait dominated the opening half and took a 13-8 lead into the break, but Qatar mounted a strong comeback in the second half to level the score at 22-22 and force overtime.
The hosts were still narrowly ahead at 25-24 at the end of the first extra period, but Qatar responded in the second extra period to clinch a 27-26 victory and secure a spot in the final.
Qatar will face Bahrain in Thursday’s final after Bahrain beat Japan 35-25 in the other semi-final. Kuwait and Japan will contest the third-place playoff earlier the same day.
Qatar are aiming to retain their Asian crown, having won the last six editions of the championship. They claimed the most recent title in Bahrain last year with a 30-24 victory over Japan in the final and are chasing a seventh consecutive championship.
The Qatari side have already qualified for the 2027 World Handball Championship in Germany, which will mark their 11th appearance at the global tournament.
