JEDDAH, 17 March 2007 — Al-Ahli go for a title sweep in the 27th Gulf Handball Championship for Clubs today in Bahrain when they play hosts Al-Ahli in the final match.
It will be the second meeting between the sides with Ahli, unscathed in four matches, looking to repeat their 16-14 triumph over Ahli and seal their unbeaten run to the championship.
The event lured eight teams from the region namely Ahli of Bahrain, Masqat of Oman, Qadisiya of Kuwait, Ahli of Saudi Arabia, who are bracketed in Group A, and Al-Sulibikhat of Kuwait, Ein of UAE, Ahli of Qatar and Al-Najmah of Bahrain from Group B.
The Saudi side is bannered by Ibrahim Aiyed, Talal Aiyed, Ahmed Younbawi, Mohammed Younbawi, Turki Younbawi, Ahmed Al-Harbi, Bandar Al-Harbi, Faisal Fallatah, Abdulilah Bargat, Hussain Ikhwan, Hassan Bahswan, Amin Al-Safri, goalkeeper Manaf Yousif and Macedonian pros Jouran and Nabil Al-Obaidi from Al-Nour club in Saudi.
On their way to the final Ahli beat Al-Qadisiya of Kuwait 33-32, Al-Ahli of Bahrain 16-14, Muscat of Oman 29-22, and Al-Ahli of Qatar 30-28 on Thursday.
Ahli of Bahrain won their first match by a huge margin against Muscat of Oman 32-25. They also routed Al-Qadisiya 30-23 and edged out Al-Najmah of Bahrain 39-38.
Saudi handball star and Ahli spiritual leader Bandar Al-Harbi told Arab News over the phone from UAE he would play his best and try and bring home the cup.
