S. Korea defeat kills Iran’s chance to reach Asian handball semis
Sports Desk
Iran was defeated by South Korea in its second game at the 2017 Asian Women’s Handball Championship on Wednesday, to fail to advance to the next round.
The Iranian squad lost 22-44 to its South Korean rival in a match held in Suwon Gymnasium – an indoor sporting arena in Suwon, South Korea, varzesh3.com reported.
Iran, which had conceded a 8-33 defeat to China in its opener in the tournament, has lost its chance to get through to the semifinal round prior to its third [and last] group fixture against Vietnam on Friday.
South Korea won the first half 23-9 and scored another 21 goals in the second one. Iranian scorers in the fixture were Elnaz Ramezanpour (three goals), Maryam Yousefi (three goals), Mojgan Qahremani (three goals), Sanaz Rajabi (three goals), Narges Sheikhi (two goals), Shaqayeq Bapiri (two goals), Mina Vatanparast (two goals), Razie Janbaz (two goals) and Elnaz Qassemi (two goals).
The 16th edition of the tournament is being held under the aegis of Asian Handball Federation.
It is the second time that South Korea is hosting the meet, after the tourney was held in the country 1995. The competition also acts as the Asian qualifying tournament for the 2017 World Women’s Handball Championship.
Group A of the meet comprised South Korea, China, Iran and Vietnam. Group B included Japan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong.
The meet, which began on March 13, will wrap up on March 22.