DOHA: Hosts Qatar consolidated their chance to win handball gold medal at the GCC Beach Games after winning back-to-back matches at the Al Gharafa Club, yesterday.
The home side faced stiff competition against Bahrain in their first match of the day, which they won following a shoot-out after both the sides claimed one half each.
Bahrain held an upper hand, winning the first half 19-16 but Qatar fought back well in the second half leveling the match with a 13-10 victory in the final session, stretching the match to shoot-out which they won 7-6 in a thrilling finish.
Later, the hosts came back strongly and registered an easy victory over Oman in their second match of the day.
They won the first half 12-8 and seal win by taking the last half 22-18.
The hosts will meet Bahrain in their final match of the event tomorrow following a rest day today.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s outfits experienced mixed fortunes in quest for a medal in volleyball contest.
The Qatar A team proved too good for Bahrain A as they quashed their counterparts 2-0 winning both the halves 21-15 and 21-18.
In contrast, Qatar B outfit fell against Oman A after giving a spirited show. Oman A won the first half 21-15 while Qatar B drew level by winning the next half 21-19 before going down 12-15 in the decisive session.
In rowing, Qatar got the medal when Ali Juma Hasan Bu Jaluf took bronze at the singles sculls. UAE won gold while Kuwait secured silver medal in the five-nation event.
Today’s action at the GCC Beach Games includes football and volleyball matches apart from target sky diving contest.
The GCC Beach Games, which began on April 3 and continue till the ninth, gathers more than 300 athletes from the six GCC members including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE besides hosts Qatar.
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