Asian Men’s Handball Championship:
Iran misses out on main round after last-gasp heartbreak against Japan
Iran squandered a commanding second-half lead to suffer a last-gasp 30-29 defeat against Japan in Group D on Monday, failing to book a place in the main-round group phase at the Asian Men’s Handball Championship in Sabah Al-Salem, Kuwait.
Needing only a draw to advance as the group runner-up behind Saudi Arabia, Iran led 15-13 at halftime and stretched its advantage to five goals with 10 minutes remaining. Japan, however, mounted a stunning late comeback, with Daisuke Tanaka scoring a winner at the death to seal victory for the two-time champion.
Pouya Norouzinejad believed he had equalized for Iran with a last-ditch effort from the halfway line, but his goal was disallowed after officials ruled the ball had crossed the goal line after the final buzzer. The result sent Japan through to the next round alongside Saudi Arabia, where eight teams will be split into two groups.
Mohammadreza Oraei scored a game-high 10 goals for Iran but found little consolation in being named Man of the Match. Norouzinejad and Mehran Rahnama added eight and four goals, respectively, while Yuga Enomoto led Japan with eight.
Iran will now contest the Martyr Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Cup for 9th-15th places, beginning against India in Group IV on Thursday.
Iran opened the tournament with a 24-22 loss to four-time bronze medalist Saudi Arabia, but rebounded to hammer Australia 39-13 and enter Monday’s match ahead of Japan on goal difference.
The defeat marks another recent setback for Iran, coming just two months after Spanish head coach Rafael Guijosa’s side was eliminated in the group stage of November’s Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh.
In other Group D action, Saudi Arabia maintained its perfect record with a 42-24 win over Australia in a dead rubber for both sides.
Elsewhere, host nation Kuwait defeated the United Arab Emirates 27-22 to finish atop Group C with three wins from three, while Hong Kong beat India 36-30 to finish third.
The 22nd edition of the flagship continental event also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Championship in Germany, with the four semifinalists securing berths.