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Tribune News Network
Doha
Asian champions and former worlds runners-up Qatar will meet Croatia in their last of their preliminary Group C match of the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championships at the Borg Al Arab Hall in Alexandria, Egypt, on Tuesday at 8pm Doha Time.
Qatar have already made the second (main) round, and so have European side Croatia. But while Qatar have defeated Angloa and Japan in their Group C matches, Croatia were held to a 29-29 draw by Japan in their opener before they beat Angola 28-20 to make the next grade.
Qatar began with a flawless attack, recoding a 100 shot percentage in the first 18 minutes of the game against Japan. Qatar’s ‘Player of the Match’ Frankis Marzo was unstoppable, scoring seven of his eleven goals in the first 30 minutes. He also added five assists.
Al Annabi will aim for a consistent show while improving their defence, Qatar’s goalkeepers struggled in the first 30 minutes against Japan when Mohamed Abidi kept the goal. Things, however, changed when the experienced Danijel Saric was back as the custodian.
Speaking of the thrilling clash, Abidi had said, “We showed a big heart when we took the game in the last minutes. The Japanese team is a very different team now, as they are getting better and better and I’m just happy for the team.”
Croatia will be missing their centre back Luka Cindric who is out for the rest of the competition following a groin injury, but his replacement Janko Kevic, contributed one goal and three assists in his first action against Angola.
Againats Angola, the Balkan side couldn’t find rhythm in defence or attack, and finishing with nine turnovers in the first half.
“We’ve expected a difficult match, especially after our performance against Japan in the opening match, which was not what we have hoped for. We played not only against Angola, but also a bit against ourselves,” said Ivan Martinovic, who scored five goals for Croatia.
“Every victory is important and at the end of a match, all that matters are two points,” summarised Martinovic about the first Croatia win.
They will look to regroup in the group’s big showdown against Qatar while playing for the top spot in Group C.
Meanwhile, Japan will meet Angola in their last match of the preliminary round with a score to settle, having lost to the African side at Germany/Denmark 2019.
Doha
Asian champions and former worlds runners-up Qatar will meet Croatia in their last of their preliminary Group C match of the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championships at the Borg Al Arab Hall in Alexandria, Egypt, on Tuesday at 8pm Doha Time.
Qatar have already made the second (main) round, and so have European side Croatia. But while Qatar have defeated Angloa and Japan in their Group C matches, Croatia were held to a 29-29 draw by Japan in their opener before they beat Angola 28-20 to make the next grade.
Qatar began with a flawless attack, recoding a 100 shot percentage in the first 18 minutes of the game against Japan. Qatar’s ‘Player of the Match’ Frankis Marzo was unstoppable, scoring seven of his eleven goals in the first 30 minutes. He also added five assists.
Al Annabi will aim for a consistent show while improving their defence, Qatar’s goalkeepers struggled in the first 30 minutes against Japan when Mohamed Abidi kept the goal. Things, however, changed when the experienced Danijel Saric was back as the custodian.
Speaking of the thrilling clash, Abidi had said, “We showed a big heart when we took the game in the last minutes. The Japanese team is a very different team now, as they are getting better and better and I’m just happy for the team.”
Croatia will be missing their centre back Luka Cindric who is out for the rest of the competition following a groin injury, but his replacement Janko Kevic, contributed one goal and three assists in his first action against Angola.
Againats Angola, the Balkan side couldn’t find rhythm in defence or attack, and finishing with nine turnovers in the first half.
“We’ve expected a difficult match, especially after our performance against Japan in the opening match, which was not what we have hoped for. We played not only against Angola, but also a bit against ourselves,” said Ivan Martinovic, who scored five goals for Croatia.
“Every victory is important and at the end of a match, all that matters are two points,” summarised Martinovic about the first Croatia win.
They will look to regroup in the group’s big showdown against Qatar while playing for the top spot in Group C.
Meanwhile, Japan will meet Angola in their last match of the preliminary round with a score to settle, having lost to the African side at Germany/Denmark 2019.
