Al Arabi secured their second Qatar Handball Cup title by edging Al Duhail 35-34 after a thrilling penalty shootout at the Qatar Handball Association’s court on May 26, 2024.
Al Arabi initially led in the first half, but Al Duhail levelled the score at 26-26 by full-time.
In extra time, Al Duhail took a 29-26 lead with Swiss player Janus Lapajne scoring three consecutive goals. However, goals from Al Arabi’s Mohammed and Basil Mosa, along with a penalty shot from Anis Zouaoui, tied the game at 29-29, forcing a shootout.
The shootout was equally dramatic. Al Arabi goalkeeper Ahmed M stopped attempts by Fasco Silvalivitch and Ahmed Saleh, while Abdulrahman Abdulla and Amin Nooreldien succeeded. Alaaeldein Belrashed’s shot missed the target.
Al Arabi’s Zouaoui and Nadal Issa scored, but Al Duhail keeper Ahmed Albidawi saved shots from Abdulrahman Ali, Boslan, and Mohammed, tying the score at 31.
Momentous 35th goal
In sudden death, Al Arabi’s Zouaoui, Issa, and Ali scored, with Wajdi Snan netting their 35th goal. Al Duhail’s Abdulla, Nooreldien, and Silvalivitch were on target but missed attempts from Saleh and Belrashed handed Al Arabi the victory.
After the final, Al Arabi’s goalkeeper Ahmed emphasised the importance of the Qatar Cup win for his team.
“It is an important moment for us. The Qatar Cup is a very important cup for us, especially since we are really tired this season. The players are tired after a very busy season. We had to do a lot of preparations. Thank God, the Qatar Cup is ours now. God willing, we will be successful in the Amir Cup too,” Ahmed, who made several crucial saves, said.
“No one anticipated in the beginning that this match was going for the penalty kicks. I mean, it was a real tough game,” Ahmed said.
Photos credit: The Peninsula Qatar
