Qatar faced off against the USA in a thrilling opening match at the 11th IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championships, ultimately losing 1:2 in a closely contested game. Qatar, a two-time bronze medallist, were looking to start the tournament on a high note in Group D. Despite a strong showing from players like Amir Nowraddine Denguir and Hani Marwan Kakhi, the USA managed to outscore Qatar in the first half, leading 28-18. In the second half, Qatar staged a comeback with impressive performances from Nowraddine and Kakhi, winning 20-12 and forcing a shootout.
The shootout did not go Qatar’s way, with the USA clinching the victory with an overall score of 2:1. Kakhi was the standout performer for Qatar, scoring 18 goals, while Denguir contributed 10 goals to the team’s effort. On the other hand, Browne, Borchik, and Cody were key players for the USA, collectively scoring 36 goals in the match. Despite the loss, Qatar will have the opportunity to bounce back in their upcoming matches against Uruguay and Germany.
In other Group matches, Hungary secured a 2-0 victory over Oman, while Denmark defeated Australia with the same scoreline. Brazil emerged victorious in a tight encounter against Spain, winning 2-1 in a shootout, while Tunisia narrowly defeated China in another close match. Croatia and Argentina also recorded wins in their respective groups, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the main round, where the field will be reduced from 16 to 12 teams. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final are scheduled to take place on June 23, with teams vying for the coveted title of World Champions. Despite the early setback, Qatar has the talent and determination to make a strong push in the tournament and compete against the best teams in the world. With their sights set on redemption, Qatar will look to showcase their skills and make a mark on the global stage of beach handball.
