Cops keep winning

LEKHWIYA beat Al Khor 28-21 to post their second win in as many outings in the Qatar League. The winners led 16-9 at half-time. 

Last year’s runners-up Lekhwiya had begun the season with a 38-20 victory against Al Shamal.

Last week, they followed it up with a far more comprehensive win against Khor, which made coach Thabeth Mahfouz understandably a happy man.

“It’s nice to start the league with two wins under our belt. We’re genuine title contenders this time and the opponents will be wary of us,” said Thabeth.

Asian Clubs League champions Lekhwiya dominated the match at the Qatar Handball Association Hall right from the word go.

Wajdi Sinen and Ahmad Maadadi did the bulk of scoring for the Cops, who had finished a disappointing sixth at the recent IHF Super Globe.

Lekhwiya were the only club to pose any sort of challenge to champions El Jaish last season, holding them 28-28 in the only match  they failed to win.

The marquee clash between these clubs in the first phase will be held on March 9. 

Meanwhile, Al Sadd frittered away a good start to go down 23-25 to Al Rayyan in an edge-of-the-seat thriller.

In the match between former champions, Sadd had only themselves to blame. 

They were leading 12-10 at half-time before allowing Rayyan to claw their way back into the game.