Shabab Al Ahli delivered a commanding 42-33 performance against Al Jazira in the UAE Handball Youth Category League this Monday. Playing at Al Jazira’s home court, Shabab Al Ahli established an early 21-15 lead by halftime and controlled the tempo through the second period to confirm a nine-goal victory.
The match was officiated by Dr. Major Omar Zubair Al Marzouqi, a figure of significant stature in international handball. Al Marzouqi began his career playing for Al Nasr Club between 1984 and 1998 before transitioning into officiating. He eventually dismantled the European dominance of the sport by becoming the first Asian referee to oversee World Cup semi-finals and finals. Paving the way for greater recognition of Arab and Asian officials on the global stage, al Marzouqi became the first Asian referee to officiate at World Cup semi-finals and finals. Challenging the long-standing European dominance in refereeing, he went on to break new ground in international handball.
His career accomplishments include working 60 major international championships, including the Women’s World Cup in South Korea, the Asian Games in Qatar and China, and the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He also served as a technical observer for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, where he monitored 12 high-stakes matches. In August 2016, Omar Al Marzouqi achieved another milestone when he became the only Asian selected to serve as a technical observer at the Olympic Games in Brazil.
Elsewhere, the most lopsided result of the round took place at Kalba Club Hall, where the hosts routed Baniyas with a lopsided 57-9 scoreline. The dominance displayed by Kalba marked one of the most significant offensive performances in the current league season. Kalba completely overwhelmed their visitors, Baniyas, finishing with a massive 57–9 scoreline.
At Samnan Hall, league leaders Sharjah faced a determined Al Nasr side in a high-intensity matchup. Despite Al Nasr’s relentless energy, Sharjah utilized superior tactical execution during the final minutes to pull away for a 48-38 victory, which allowed them to maintain their position at the top of the league standings.
Dibba Al Hisn demonstrated notable resilience during their road trip to Al Bataeh Club Hall. In a hard-fought contest, they withstood several late surges from the hosts to secure a 37-31 win. The victory was defined by the team’s ability to maintain composure under pressure on away soil. Fans were treated to a fierce, end-to-end battle, at the Al Bataeh Club Hall.
Finally, Al Dhafra emerged victorious in a high-scoring encounter against Mleiha. The game was characterized by frequent lead changes, but Al Dhafra showcased depth and determination in the closing stages to clinch a narrow 46-43 win, concluding a day of intense competition across the youth league.
