Ljubuski, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Qatar lost its second game in a row at the IHF Junior World Championship at the Gradska Sportska Dvorana Indoor Hall in Ljubuski, Bosnia and Herzegovina yesterday.
After the 19-21 reversal against Croatia in the opener, they lost to Germany 22-27.
Qatar started the game strongly against the Germans. Left wing player Hamdi Ayed opened the side’s scoring in the fourth minute.
A few seconds later, Hadi Hamdoun improved the lead to 2-1.
Qatar raced ahead 4-2, but Germany fought back methodically.
Their huge left back player Julius Kuhn often troubled Qatar’s defense.
A back injury to star player Hamdoun, in the 16th, added further pressure on Qatar.
But they pegged back Germany and took a three-goal lead in the 17th.
Qatar goalkeeper Grco Mirnes put up a scintillating show under the bar and punched away several shots at goal.
Germany, who had the services of taller and stronger players, gradually took control of the game. A two-minute penalty to Selvedin Omahic made things easier for them.
But Qatar held on and ended the first half with a two-goal advantage (12-10).
The Germans were a lot more aggressive in the second half. Markus Hansen equalised the scores in the third minute (13-13) and Jan Forstbauer put his team ahead a few second later.
To Qatar’s relief, Milan Sajin rediscovered his scoring form in the second half.
But the Germans kept pushing ahead with deadly accuracy.
By the 47th minute, they were ahead by five goals (22-17).
Qatar seemed to have completely given up hope in the final 10 minutes.
Hadi Hamdoun was Qatar’s top scorer with four goals.
THE PENINSULA
