(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Spurred after their victory against continental rivals Bahrain, Qatar are looking to tame Argentina in Paris today with an eye on the knockout stage of the IHF Men's Handball World Championship.
The surprise 2015 runners-up endured a shaky start and went down fighting against Egypt in their opening group D game.
However, the Valero Rivera's side bounced back in the 24-team event with a with a comfortable 32-22 victory against the neighbouring side.
The Al Anabi looked a different outfit altogether against Bahrain and dictated terms after the first five minutes securing a lead of 4:1.
The Qatari forwards continue to pile pressure on their opponents' defence while on the other hand goal-keeper Danijel Saric ensured his team's lead by making outstanding saves throughout the match.
When Saric made his fifth save with Qatar at a 7:4 advantage in the 13th minute, he recorded a rate of 56 per cent and was the clear factor in stopping Bahrain's attack.
At the other end of the court right wing Abdulla Al Karbi was the most dangerous weapon, as he tallied three goals off three attempts by midway through the half when Qatar had pulled ahead to 9:4.
Once the clock passed midway through the half Qatar began to show their strength, increasing their advantage to 10 goals by half-time, at which point a comeback from Bahrain seemed impossible considering the momentum was all with the Asian champions.
Ten minutes into the second half Qatar maintained the same lead, and the 10-goal distance persisted as the full-time buzzer neared indicating a vast improvement from Bahrain after half-time. But the 10-goal deficit Bahrain allowed in the first 30 minutes was far too great to come back from, and Qatar coach Valero Rivera used the comfortable lead to play through his bench until the final whistle sounded.
Qatar's star Bertrand Roine was impressed how his team opened the proceedings against Bahrain.
'We were good in defence, our goalkeeper made the saves and, in attack we followed our plan, he said.
'After we relaxed in defence, we took some stupid shots. But that's also because we changed some players who are still learning to fit into the team.
A victory against Argentina today will raise Qatar's chances of entering the Eighth final.
However, it wouldn't be a walk in the park for 2015 edition's hosts as Argentina will enter the game desperate for a win after defeat to Sweden in their first match.
Qatar are also scheduled to meet European giants Sweden and Denmark on January 18 and 20 respectively in their final group matches.
Rivera said his team's initial target was to reach the quarter-finals of the global event which will conclude on January 29.
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