Hosts Thailand stayed undefeated and won both the junior (U20) and the youth (U18) titles at this year’s Men’s IHF Trophy - Asia Zone IB. The competition took place between 21 and 25 October at the Thailand National Sports University in Chonburi.

Four teams entered the junior competition, which was played as a round robin, with the top two teams meeting in the final, and Thailand won all four of their matches.

On the first day, Thailand opened with a 39:14 win against Singapore. Indonesia, who would become the hosts' main rivals, also started strongly with a 37:22 win over the Philippines.

On the second day, Thailand and Indonesia met in a direct duel for first place in the group. Thailand took control early, leading 17:11 at the break, and won 40:27. The Philippines earned their first points with a 23:15 win against Singapore.

On the last day of the group phase, Indonesia beat Singapore 50:25 to secure second place and a place in the final. Thailand ended the round robin with a 52:17 win over the Philippines, the biggest margin of the competition.

The final was much closer than the group meeting. Indonesia were in the match from the start, and Thailand led only 16:15 at the break. The hosts pulled away in the second half to win 37:31, as Thanaporn Prakodhan scored nine goals and Kritsana Phoka added seven.

In the third-place match, Singapore led the Philippines 11:10 at half-time. The Philippines came back to win 20:18 and took the bronze medal, leaving Singapore fourth.

Thailand’s Saknarin Wongsaita and Indonesia’s Zaidan Haq shared the top scorer title with 34 goals each. The Philippines’ Chael Jord Dollaga followed with 32 goals.

The youth competition also had four teams and the same format. This time, Thailand had to work much harder for the title.

The opening day brought the closest game of the group stage. Thailand edged Indonesia 40:37 after leading 21:17 at the break. Malaysia started with a clear 43:12 win against the Philippines.

On the second day, Thailand faced their toughest test against Malaysia. Malaysia led 10:8 at half-time, but the hosts turned the match around in the second half to win 25:21. Indonesia beat the Philippines 41:11.

Malaysia then secured their place in the final with a comeback against Indonesia. They trailed 11:14 at the break but won 28:27. Thailand completed a perfect group stage with a 42:15 win over the Philippines.

Thailand and Malaysia met again in the final. Thailand led 16:13 at half-time, held on in the second half and won 34:29 to take the title. Triphet Phrangam scored nine goals, while Vasan Saengprajan added six.

In the bronze medal match, Indonesia beat the Philippines 48:18.

Thailand’s Phatthanachai Thinnaphat was the top scorer with 31 goals, one more than Indonesia’s Rizky Apriyullah. Indonesia’s Panji Negara and Malaysia’s Muhammad Acqmal Mifdhal Bin Abdullah and Muhammad Syafi Danish Bin Shahridzuan scored 25 goals each.

Both the junior and the youth Thailand teams qualified for the Continental Phase of the Men’s IHF Trophy.

Credit photo: Thailand National Sports University