Muscat: Oman lost the second match against the host Jordan 22-30, after thrashing India 40-25 in the first match at the 18th Asian Youth Handball Championship in Princess Sumaya Handball Hall in Al Hussein Youth City in Amman, which will continue until July 25.
The Omani team started with a high-pressure style from the beginning and opened the scoring in the second minute. Jordan responded quickly through Ahmed al Attar and Bashar Obeidat, to make the score 2-1 in Jordan's favour. After several accurate passes and tight tactics, the national team managed to equalise in the fourth minute, and the excitement continued between the two teams until the score reached 6-6 in the tenth minute.
Jordan returned to score the go-ahead goal again through a quick counterattack, but Oman's Al Warith responded by scoring the equaliser quickly after exploiting a Jordanian defensive error. The Omani pressure continued, and player Mamoun al Housni managed to score the go-ahead goal in the 15th minute after a powerful shot from a long distance, to make the score 8-7. Jordan came back to equalise after an organised attack, then took a two-goal lead due to their superiority in counterattacks and accurate passes. Oman narrowed the gap through Mohammed al Mahrami by scoring a wonderful goal from a tight angle, but Jordan added two more goals through player Ali Jeaarah from the penalty spot and his teammate Sufyan Abu Rumaan, to end the first half with Jordan leading 15-11.
In the second half, Oman started with a goal to reduce the deficit, as Al Warith al Mandhari managed to score after a great individual effort. The two teams exchanged goals, and Mamoun al Housni and Al Warith al Mandhari shone in scoring goals with accuracy and skill, while Jordan's players tried to respond through the flanks and depth, led by Ahmed Al-Attar and his teammates, who succeeded in penetrating the Omani defence. After ten minutes of the second half, Jordan was leading 19-15, then widened the gap to six goals (21-15) thanks to their collective performance and defensive organisation.
Omani players' attempts to reduce the deficit continued through the moves of Al Warith al Mandhari and Mamoun al Housni, but the Jordanian defence and goalkeeper were an impenetrable wall in front of the successive attacks. Ahmed Al Attar and Sufyan Abu Rumaan stood out for Jordan, scoring consecutive goals thanks to their coordination and cooperation in quick counterattacks. On the other hand, Oman missed several chances to reduce the deficit, as Jordan's goalkeeper saved them brilliantly. To make the score 26-18 in Jordan's favour after half an hour of the second half.
Omanis tried to come back in the match by scoring a goal from player Hamad Bait Sbeeh, but the Jordan players continued to score goals, maintaining their lead until the final whistle. The match ended with Jordan winning over our national team by a score of 30-22.
Oman will qualify for the second round if Jordan beat India in the next match.
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