El Jaish and Al Sadd Script Thrilling Draw in IHF Super Globe

Doha, August 27 (QNA) - The all-Qatari International Handball Federation (IHF) Super Globe encounter between El Jaish and Al Sadd ended in a thrilling 22-22 draw here late last night at the Al Gharafa Sports Club. El-Jaish tied for the second time in two days after their 29-29 against HSV Hamburg and will face Sydney in their last preliminary match. After two of three match days nothing is decided as any team in Group 'A' of the 2013 edition can advance to the semi-finals. Before the last match day Al Sadd and Hamburg lead the ranking by three points. Both Qatari teams and Hamburg still can proceed to the semi-finals, while in Group 'B' Barcelona and Sahel are already confirmed for the next stage. African club champions Etoile Sportive du Sahel defeated home team Al Rayyan, 30-23. Their second consecutive loss puts them out of the race. Barcelona Intersport entered the semi-finals yesterday after coasting to a relatively easy 32-18 win over Brazilian outfit Taubate. The vociferously cheered all-Qatari battle for a semi-final berth was pulsating from the start. The first 19 minutes of the match saw some amazing saves by Al Sadd goalkeeper Jose Javier Hombrados. El Jaish's Swedish custodian Dan Beutler too matched him with fine anticipation and interceptions. Beutler was later substituted by Mohsain Yaffai who maintained the same level of blocking. Al Sadd were in the lead throughout the whole first half after a strong start (4-1). El Jaish trimmed the lead, but could not wrest the lead. After some brilliant Hombrados saves Al Sadd surged ahead to 12-9. El Jaish roared back after the break to draw level at 13-13. Al Sadd men missed too many goal-scoring opportunities during this period which was welcomed by El Jaish fans who raucously celebrated their team wresting the lead in the 42nd minuted of the game, when Slim Hedoui hit the net to make it 16-15. After this the tempo of battle increased as the lead changed hands constantly. Ten minutes before the end, El Jaish coach Akkeb Kamel sent Beutler back to man the goal post when the score was 19- 18 in favour of Al-Sadd. He immediately effected a super save. This spurred El Jaish men. A triple strike by Ahmed Elahmar turned the match around to 21-19 in four minutes. Al Sadd hit back to equalize at 21-21 and 22:22. El Jaish had to play the final 90 seconds with a one man disadvantage. Their coach Kamel took his final time-out 33 seconds before the end, but his team missed their last shot against Hombrados. Al-Sadd had the last attack, but finally Beutler saved the point by clearing Hedoui's shot. (QNA)