BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Al-Sadd handball team lost to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Madar 18-22 in the finals of the Asian Club League Handball Championship.

Several thousand spectators attended the tournament held in Dammam city, Saudi Arabia, to see Al-Sadd, last year’s champions, Al-Madar in the finals for the second year running.

Al-Sadd did not play to expectations, unable to break the defense thrown by Al-Madar, although they scored early, five minutes into the first half.

For a brief 10 minute window 15 minutes into the second half, the Lebanese team began playing to their usual standard, winding up losing by a four goal margin.