Bahrain’s Al Najma saw their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the 28th Asian Men’s Club League Handball Championship come to an end after a hard-fought 28-24 defeat against Kuwait’s Burgan Club at Sabah Al-Salem Hall in Kuwait.
The result not only ended Al Najma’s continental title ambitions but also dashed their chances of securing qualification for the prestigious 19th IHF Men’s Handball Club World Championship, scheduled to be held in Egypt this October.
Closely Contested Battle from Start to Finish
Knowing that a positive result was essential to keep their tournament hopes alive, Al Najma started brightly and took the lead through Mohamed Ahmed in the opening minutes.
However, Burgan quickly responded and settled into the match, with Mahmoud Mohsen and Husain Almutawa leading the Kuwaiti side’s attacking efforts. Both teams exchanged goals throughout a fast-paced and entertaining first half, with neither side able to establish a significant advantage.
After an intense opening 30 minutes, Burgan held a slender 14-13 lead at the break.
Najma Fight Back but Burgan Finish Strong
The Bahraini side refused to back down in the second half and remained within touching distance for much of the contest. Their persistence paid off when they levelled the score at 21-21 midway through the period, thanks to crucial contributions from Sayed Ali Shubbar and Jasim Khamis.
With the match finely balanced, it appeared either team could emerge victorious.
But as the game entered its decisive stages, Burgan found another gear.
Mahmoud Mohsen Leads the Charge
Burgan’s standout performer Mahmoud Mohsen delivered a match-winning display, finishing as the top scorer with an impressive 11 goals.
His clinical finishing, combined with Burgan’s effective fast-break play, proved too much for Al Najma to contain. After the Bahraini club narrowed the deficit to 23-22, Burgan responded with a decisive scoring run that effectively ended the contest.
The Kuwaiti side scored five of the final seven goals, including several crucial strikes in the closing minutes, to secure a deserved four-goal victory.
Key Performers for Al Najma
Despite the defeat, several Al Najma players produced commendable performances.
Saud Aljunaid and Sayed Ali Shubbar led the scoring for the Bahraini side with five goals each, while Mohamed Ahmed and Jasim Khamis added four goals apiece.
Their efforts kept Al Najma competitive throughout much of the encounter, but the team ultimately struggled to match Burgan’s efficiency in the closing stages.
Final Match Remains
The loss leaves Al Najma with a record of one win, one draw and three defeats in the competition.
Although their hopes of advancing have ended, the Bahraini club still has one match remaining in the tournament. Al Najma will face Saudi Arabia’s Khaleej Club tomorrow at 8pm Bahrain time, aiming to finish their Asian campaign on a positive note and reward their supporters with a strong final performance.
End of the Road, But Valuable Experience Gained
While the result is disappointing for Al Najma, the tournament has provided valuable experience against some of Asia’s strongest club sides. The Bahraini champions will now look to build on those lessons as they turn their focus toward future domestic and regional competitions.