(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Four-time winner and defending champion Qatar, last edition's bronze-medal winner South Korea, Bahrain and Iran topped their respective groups at the conclusion of the preliminary round of the 16th Asian Men's Junior (U21) Handball Championship in Salalah on Wednesday.
The prestigious championship is being played at the Al Sa'ada Sports Complex and features 14 nations.
Oman, coached by Egyptian Mohammed Abd Elmoety, tasted its first defeat in Group D as it was outplayed by fancied Iran 17-26 in the concluding match on Wednesday.
A powerful comeback from Iran in the second half saw it run victors as it fought back from 10-11 down at the break to eventually register a convincing win.
A total of six matches were played on Wednesday to complete the initial round with top two teams from the four groups making their way into the main round, featuring another round-robin format.
In the opening match of the day, India routed Yemen 37-24 in a Group D game to finish third in the group. The winner led 19-13 at half-time.
Qatar, which has won the previous four editions, beginning in 2012, and is one of the favourites to retain the crown, defeated Iraq 26-21 after leading 11-9 at half-time to top a three-team Group B with four points.
In Group C, Bahrain edged past Saudi Arabia 22-21 in a thriller after the teams were locked 10-10 at the interval. Bahrain topped the group ahead of the Saudis.
South Korea overcame Japan challenge to top Group A with a 27-23 win while China drubbed Lebanon 33-18 in the same group to finish third.
The top two teams from the four groups – South Korea, Japan (Group A), Qatar, Iraq
(Group B), Bahrain, Saudi Arabia (Group C), Iran and Oman (Group D) – have been divided into two groups in the main round, starting on Friday.
While South Korea, Bahrain, Iraq and Oman form Group A, Qatar, Iran, Japan and Saudi Arabia are in Group B. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, scheduled on July 24 with the final slated for July 26.
The best three teams at the Asian meet in Salalah will also qualify for the IHF Men's World Junior Championship in Spain next year.
The playoff matches for ninth to 14th spots will feature China, Syria, Chinese Taipei, India, Lebanon and Yemen.
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