Doha, August 28 (QNA) -IHF Super Globe host Al-Sadd was the lucky winner of the highly decisive – and trilling high-class match against Mudhar in group B. Both teams have two points on their account now. While Al-Sadd have the easier task in their final preliminary round match against Sydney, Mudhar have to face defending champions THW Kiel (4 points).
The second match was the complete contrary for host Al-Sadd: On Monday against THW Kiel they had dominated the first half clearly and led 16:9, against Mudhar- vociferous and loudly boosted by a huge number of orange dressed spectators – they were trailed with seven goals after only 16 minutes. The Saudis played a brilliant opening period, hit the net from all positions, especially by their tall backcourt shooters, and caused a state of shock for Al-Sadd. Even an early time-out of coach Patrice Canayer did not stop the downswing of the favoured hosts, who had strengthened their team with player from French top club Montpellier HB.
But after the 4:11 Al-Sadd found back on a regular way of playing. Despite a still strong-standing Mudhar defence and goalkeepers, the Qataris reduced the gap constantly, building on the again great saves of their goalkeeper Primoz Prost and the fast-break goals of Dragan Gajic.
With an 11:6 series until the halftime Al-Sadd reduced to 15:17, equalizing at 17:17. But who thought the winner s way would have been paved already by the Qataris, was wrong. Mudhar still kept up, before a double strike of Nikola Karabatic gave the first lead to Al-Sadd 19:18.
But until the 26:26 the game was absolute tight before the Super Globe host became intermediately more dominant, increasing the gap thanks to their physical advantages and the fact that the Saudis were running out of “petrol”, to three goals at 30:27. But still nothing was decided: As Mudhar changed their defence tactics to a nearly man-against-man-style, Al-Sadd caused mistakes in attack, allowing counter-attacks to the Asian champions, who were back on track at 32:31 three minutes before the end of a high class match.(QNA)
