Group D: Qatar play Presidentā€™s Cup in Cologne

17 Jan. 2019

Group D: Qatar play Presidentā€™s Cup in Cologne

Qatar - Argentina 26:25 (16:13)



After Egypt managed to qualify for the Main Round, there was not much to fight for in the second match of the day. The main price for the day was the honours of the fourth place, and the opportunity to play in Lanxess Arena, in Cologne. Argentina just needed a draw to secure that.

Federico Fernandez was back for Argentina after his suspension against Angola. He put Argentina in the lead. After just three minutes, the scoreboard said 2:1 for the South Americans.

Argentina looked like they wanted to win, while Qatar looked tired after their defeat to Sweden yesterday evening.

In the 9th minute, the Argentinian wing Santiago Barnetto could make it 6:4 for the Argentina side. Then, the Qatar team woke up. Two fast breaks goals for Youssef Ali and Qatar levelled the game. The same Ali could a few minutes later give Qatar an 8:6 lead. This turned the game around.

With an assist from the wing, Rafael Capote scored the 10:8 for Qatar, half-way through the first half.

In contrast to the games yesterday it was not a game of the ā€˜big savesā€™. With a double chance for Qatar, the goal post saved Argentina. Santiago Barnetto could thereafter equalise at the other end: 10:10. However, Ali once again gave Qatar a two-goal lead, a few minutes afterwards.

Even though the post saved the Argentina side five times in the first half, it was still a Qatar team, who easiest found the rhythm in the last part of the first half. With just four minutes to go, Frankis Marzo put them ahead by five, 15:10.

Argentina managed to decrease the difference before the break to only three goals (13:16)

The South Americans opened the second half better, even though Qatar started the half with a goal. Argentina played like a team and fought for the victory until the last minute. Especially their goalkeeper Leonel Carlos Maciel had some good saves, which lead them to a comeback in the match. Ā 

After just a few minutes played in the second half. Nicolas Bonanno tried to block the ball but unfortunately, he got hit in the head and had to receive treatment on the bench.

After some well-played minutes by Argentina, Qatar toke the lead back. In these minutes, the Team Official from Qatar got a warning for complaining.

48 minutes into the game, Argentina took a time-out (23:19). After that time-out, Argentina was suddenly only one goal behind (24:25). In the last minutes, Qatar got a two-minute suspension which Argentina took advantage of and equalised. But with two minutes left, Argentina got a two-minute suspension and Qatar took the lead again (26:25).

With a minute left of the match, Argentina had the ball and they only needed an equaliser to go through to Cologne. Argentina had a hard time getting past the defence but got a penalty. Unfortunately for Argentina, Danijel Saric saved it. And when Frederico Gaston Fernandez caught the rebound, a Qatar player knocked it out of his hands and the time ran out.Ā 

Qatar won the match 26:25.

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hummel Player of the Match:Ā Frankies Marzo (QAT)

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Statements after the match

Valero Rivera, Qatar coach: Iā€™m satisfied with the win, but not only the win. It was good to show that we were able to fight back after the loose yesterday. Today Rafael Capote was very important in both ends. Iā€™m proud of my defense. Itā€™s always difficult against Argentina, they some nice handball.

Argentina Coach, Manuel Cadenas: It was an interesting match. It was margins, which did that we didnā€™t manage to finish higher. Qatar got more players than Capote, and I think they played well. Iā€™m satisfied with our fight today. We played a good match.

Allaedine Berrached, Qatar: I agree with my coach. Iā€™m very proud to be on this team. We work hard every day, every game of the tournament. Together as a unit, Iā€™m proud of what we have achieved and what we leaned.

Carlos Maciel, Argentina: It was difficult for us. We fought all we could. We were tired, and itā€™s always difficult in these tournaments. But in the end, Iā€™m pleased with our performance this time.

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