(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fawad Hussain / The Peninsula
Star rider Hamad Ali Al Attiyah expressed his delight after Qatar clinched the equestrian jumping team event silver medal at the Ashgabat 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games yesterday.
Al Attiyah riding Clinton, Al Ajami Faleh (Armstrong van de Kapel), Al Suwaidi Salmen Sultan A M (Cantaro 32) and Al Emadi Salman Mohammed A S (Zorro Z) participated in the team event final and displayed an overall impressive performance to claim second position on the podium.
Qatar were stealing the show and were ahead before a one-time fault cost them the gold medal.
Saudi Arabia finished on top by only one-time point while Syria took the team event bronze medal.
Al Attiyah expressed satisfaction with his team's performance.
'Thank God for the silver medal, we are happy. The team could have done better, but that's sport. One day you have it, one day you don't.
'At least we ended up on the podium so I am very happy about that. In our sport, you always have a chance until the last jump.
The star Qatari rider lauded his team-mates after the close contest and hoped for better results in the future.
'It couldn't have been closer. But we have a new team here and it's the first time we jumped as a team. The boys gave their best and did really good for a first time. Hopefully we will do better next time.
Qatari rider Hamad Ali Al Attiyah in action during the equestrian jumping team final at the Ashgabat 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games yesterday.
Meanwhile, one of the title favourites Qatar got off to a flying start in 3x3 basketball contest at Ashgabat 2017 thrashing Samoa in a one-sided match.
The Al Anabi making their debut at the Games played a very concise game for a commanding 21-11 victory over their opponents.
Abdulrahman Saad, who was the star performer for Qatar, played down the favourites tag and said his team will have to work hard to win a gold medal.
'There is a general impression that we are the favourites, but it will not be proven unless it will happen, he said.
Qatar so far won have won a total of five medals including two gold, a silver and a pair of bronze.
Meanwhile, Iraq stole limelight at the 3x3 basketball claiming two easy and impressive victories - over Tajikistan and Lebanon - and scored an impressive 21 points each time.
'We netted 21 points in both of them and this is great, said Iraq's Ali Ismael.
'We didn't expect to do so but, since it happened, it is more than welcome. Now we have to play Turkmenistan and we will try to beat them as well.
'We are fighting in every game for every ball, for every point. We are like lions and never quit the battle.
Before losing to Iraq, Lebanon had shocked Turkmenistan 17-11. With the superior scoring ability of their guard Hanna Jhonny Nemer (Lebanon) as their key weapon the Lebanese side played a smart defensive game that forced the hosts into a low-scoring defeat.
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