(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Recovering well from their defeat against Russia that shattered their hopes of reaching the last 16 stage of the World Youth Handball Championship, Qatar overcame Japan 27-23 to reach the final of President's Cup in Yekaterinburg, yesterday.
Japan did not seem to be quite their speedy selves when they took to the court against Qatar, who were the first on the score board and held a steady two-goal lead through the first half.
Japan had trouble against Qatar's taller defenders, with their attacks often blocked or intercepted. Qatar's early advantage proved key, with the two-goal difference remaining midway through the half.
Japan's Yuya Nomura scored a left wing shot from an impossible angle in the 25th to take the score to 11:8, but Qatar were firmly ahead and maintained their lead until half-time.
Qatar played almost the same seven players for the entire first period, only changing their wingers and having Gamal Ahmed, who scored their first goal, coming in as a specialist attacker in the match.
Qatar goalkeeper Ahmed Abdelrhem made a penalty save to keep his side ahead by six in the 40th minute (19:13), and as the game entered its last ten minutes they retained their lead (23:18).
Japan keeper Tatsu Moriwaki, who joined the starting 16 yesterday in place of injured left back Ishado Makino, made a spectacular save of a six-metre breakthrough in the 54th, but at that point the match was decided.
Qatar will take on Germany today in the President's Cup final which will ascertain the 17/18 place in the championship ranking.
Germany defeated Poland 45:19 to reach the final.
Poland suffered their heaviest defeat of Russia 2015 and one of their biggest losses to Germany at youth level, if not their highest, as they fell by 26 goals at the Uralian.
Scoring just seven goals in the first half, Poland were lacklustre and uninterested as Germany continued to play their effective, if not scintillating handball to record their second highest win of Russia 2015, behind their demolition of Venezuela in the group stages.
Noah Beyer top scored for Germany on seven and Kamil Netz top scored on six for Poland team.
Meanwhile, Argentina overcame Algeria on penalties as the regular 60 minutes ended 24:24 with both teams keeping close throughout. With the scores at 19:19 and down by one man, Agustin Forlino made a fantastic save from Djeghaba Nidhal Baha to keep it level as Algeria moved to a 4-2 defence to try and break up Argentina's court play and finish the game in time.
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