Al-Sadd (QAT) vs. Esperance
Tunis (TUN) 30:29 (12:15)
It was not an easy way for Al-Sadd
to preserve the chance for the semi-final together with the defending champion
FC Barcelona. But after a hard fight the representative from Qatar won his first
match and will reach the round of the top four with a victory at their last
preliminary match against Sydney.
The newcomer Esperance participated
for the first time at the IHF Super Globe, dominated a first half which was
marked by many actions one – one. After the first 30 minutes Tunis took the
lead with three goals (15:12). But the team from Tunisia was paying a high
price for it: Top-scorer Bassem Mrabet was injured and could not go on playing.
And Al-Sadd needed only two
minutes after the first whistle on the second half to compensate the three
goals difference.
The match between the two
teams was on eye level and both sides made nearly the same mistakes. Six second
before the final bell it was a 29:29 draw. But then Al-Sadd got a penalty shoot
– and Ammine Bannour remained confident and scored the crucial last goal. Now
the gate to semi-final is open for Al-Sadd.
Mongi Bananni (coach from Al-Sadd): Our moral was high this day. My time fought like lions. We had a
strategy and we followed it. This was the key for our success.
Husain Alsayyad (player from Al-Sadd): We had a lot of luck at the last minutes. The coach gave us the
instructions and we followed it. The victory today is a major step to reach the
semi-final.
Nejib Ben Thayer (coach from Tunis): First of all I have to congratulate the team from Al-Sadd. We saw a
good game. It was thrilled at the last minutes. Unfortunately my team played
not so well in the second half. And we had to act with the problem to miss on
of our players after minute24.
Kamel Alouini (player from Tunis): The match was friendly, good and fast. Five minutes before the end we
had the opportunity to decide the match. But we made mistakes. Then we got
problems with the goalkeeper from Al-Sadd. This was the situation. Finally
Al-Sadd won and we are unlucky.