Lebanese Al-Sadd reach Super Globe Bronze Final

Doha, May 16 (QNA) - The most important decisions in the Super Globe Preliminary Round Group A have been taken: After THW Kiel qualified for the final on Saturday evening, the Lebanese Al-Sadd team secured the second place and the qualification for the Bronze Final in Monday s first match in Doha but it was a tough fight, before Pinheiros had been beaten.
Al-Sadd (LBA) Esporte Pinheiros (BRA) 29:27 (12:13) .
They danced on the field and celebrated hand in hand: After losing their opener against Kiel clearly, Al-Sadd from Lebanon secured the second place in Group A after two straight victories against Al-Rayyan and Pinheiros on Monday. But the Brazilians again showed a very strong performance like they did in the draw against Al-Rayyan and the expected defeat against Kiel. The defense was well prepared, goalkeeper Maik dos Santos saved brilliantly again and when they could start their speedful they were very successful with counter attacks in the first 45 minutes.
Al-Sadd was highly motivated after their victory over Al-Rayyan yesterday evening and tried everything to secure the second place and the participation in the Bronze final. But in the first half they had to thank their goalkeeper Jose Manuel Sierra who avoided a clearer deficit. They could not stop the counter attacks of Pinheiros and were below the Brazilians intermediately with three goals (10:13). Thanks to two goals in minute 30 they reduced the gap at the break to only one goal difference.
Even in the beginning of the second half Pinheiros were stronger, but minute by minute they lost their power and confidence. The bigger international experience and more options to rotate brought the Lebanese team back on the winner s way. Pinheiros struggled hard, but in minute 47 the match turned, when Al-Sadd finished a 7:2 series from 15:17 to 22:19. Pinheiros coach Sergio Hortelan took his time-out to awake the last powers of his brave fighting team and they understood what their coach said, scored three straight goals and equalized at 22:22.
But this was the last sign of life from Pinheiros. As Sierra saved some important shots, Al-Sadd played the final stage in a sovereign manner and decided the game with the 27:23, scored by Oscar Perales. Even as Pinheiros struggled until the final whistle, again reduced the gap to 27:29 45 seconds before the end, but then missed three shots they could not take the points.
Quotes after the match: Rashid Mohamed, coach Al-Sadd: Pinheiros played very well with a great fighting spirit. But our cooperation of Lebanese players and Valladolid worked even better, especially thanks to coach Juan Carlos Pastor. Even as some of the professional players were tired or injured we managed to achieve the second place in our group.
Zoulfikar Daher, player Al-Sadd: We thank god for this victory. The third place of the Super Globe was our objective and we still have it in our hands. No matter what team we will meet, we give all to become third.
Sergio Hortelan, coach Pinheiros: Yesterday we played better against Kiel than we did today. Al-Sadd have excellent players and coaches, and as we did show our usual performance in the final stage we lost the game.
Thiagus Santos, player Pinheiros: We are satisfied with our performances at this tournament, even as we could have won the first and third match.(QNA)