Qatar saw off China 30-25 in their opening Asian Games handball match on Sunday, claiming two points in the process. The result leaves Qatar in second place in their group, one spot above the hosts who sit third.
China had started their campaign with a draw against Japan the previous day, while Qatar had opened with a convincing victory over Hong Kong. By then both sides knew exactly what kind of contest awaited them.
The visitors took control early and never really looked back. Qatar's defence held firm whenever China pushed forward, and their attack found space when it mattered most. And here's the thing — the margin told the full story.
China will need to regroup quickly. They have one more group match to play and cannot afford another slip-up. Qatar, meanwhile, move closer to topping the table with a solid performance on the road.
The final scoreline of 30-25 reflects a game where Qatar were the better side from start to finish. China fought hard but found no answer to the visitors' rhythm.
