El-Jaish Takes All-Qatari IHF Super Globe Duel in Style

Doha, September 07 (QNA) - Asian champions El-Jaish proved their ambitions at the IHF Super Globe right in their opener. By beating their local Doha rivals Al-Ahly in style 28:23, the army team had a perfect start to the tournament on Sunday and now belong among the favourites. El-Jaish were not even shocked by two red cards in the second half. IHF Super Globe 2014, preliminary round, Group A: El-Jaish (QAT) Al-Ahly (QAT) 28:23 (10:10) The Qatar Handball Association Complex saw the only All-Qatari preliminary round duel of this IHF Super Globe right on the first day - and the atmosphere in the arena was brilliant. Thousands of fans, all dressed in the colours of their clubs, supported their teams by singing, dancing and cheering. Both sides were extremely motivated by the extraordinary support from the stands. El-Jaish was boosted by experienced Heykel Megannem, newcomer Zarko Markovic (7 goals), Ahmed Elahmar (9 goals) and goalkeeper Nandor Fazekas, while Al-Ahly counted on Frantisek Sulc and Jorge Pavan, who was top scorer with ten goals. Just prior to their first IHF Super Globe match, Ah-Ahly had to replace their coach, Hafedu Zowqbi, who has been hospitalised due to back problems. So goalkeeper coach Mahmoud Najji took the job on the bench. The first 30 minutes were extremely tight with both sides neutralising the other with a strong defence. No team could pull away, so the 10:10 halftime tie was a deserved result of two equal teams. At in the beginning of the second half, El-Jaish Qatar national team player Mahmoud Osman received a direct red card after a severe foul against Al-Ahly's Alrayed Bassel. But the army team was anything but shocked: Putting the responsibility on the remaining shoulders and pushed by Fazekass saves, they took control of the game. Their back court shooters were more powerful and passionate, so the margin had increased to 17:12 in only eight minutes after the red card against Osman. From that moment on El-Jaish was riding on the wings of success, vociferously supported by their fans, who stood as one behind their team. Even two time-outs within just ten minutes did not stop Al-Ahly's downswing, as El-Jaish punished their opponent with a series of needle-pin counter-attacks. When Ahmed Elahmar netted in to make it 23:15 with ten minutes remaining the deal was finally sealed. Fazekas completely shut up his shop in this period, while his teammates sped up. Al-Ahly need to improve to stand the pressure against Flensburg on Monday, as they were additionally hit-hard by Knar Hassans severe ankle injury after a foul by Heykel Megannem, the second El-Jaish player, who needed to leave the court after a red card (in minute 56). Hassan needed to be carried out of the arena on a stretcher. (QNA)