Qatar’s Zarko Markovic has scored 17 goals so far while Slovenia’s Dragan Gajic (not in picture) leads the tally with 24 goals. Qatar and Slovenia face off in their Group A match at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall today. (EPA)

By Yash Mudgal/Doha

After two consecutive victories in the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship, hosts Qatar will face their most stern test yet at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall when they meet Slovenia in a Group A match today.
If the hosts are able to force a victory over Slovenia, who finished in fourth place in Spain two years ago, it will be Qatar’s biggest success so far at the World Championships, and will ensure a pre-quarterfinals spot – their pre-tournament target.
Coach Valero Rivera’s team have won group matches against Brazil (28-23) and Chile (27-20) with ease, while Slovenia, who had beaten Chile 36-23 in their opening game on Friday, maintained a joint lead in Group A along with Qatar and defending champions Spain, thanks to a 34-29 win over Belarus on Saturday.
“Slovenia are very strong opponents; they reached the semi-finals in the previous world championship. We need to prepare well and play our best game if we want to beat them,” said Qatar right back Abdulla al-Karbi.
Rivera, who led Spain to a victory in the 2013 World Championship semi-final against Slovenia, is aware of the tough match.
“We are going to play against number four from the last world championship, where Qatar finished 23rd. I believe that gives you a bit of a clue to the challenge we are facing,” Rivera said.
Slovenian coach Boris Denic remained humble. “Even though we are now on two wins, we cannot relax in any match, but will have to start on our next task right away.”
Goalkeeper Gorazd Skof shared that opinion.  “We have won twice so far, but against Qatar it will be a totally different game.”
During the match all eyes will stay focused on two of the leading goal scorers of the tournament — Dragan Gajic of Slovenia, who is the leading the goal tally with 24 goals so far, and Zarko Markovic of Qatar, who has scored 17 goals in two matches.
Before his team’s second match against Chile, Markovic insisted he was not underestimating his Pan-American opponents, adding: “We have to stay focussed, regardless of the opponents.”
He did stay focussed and scored 11 goals, much to the delight of the crowd in the Lusail Multipurpose Arena.
Slovenia’s right winger Gajic is shooting almost at will which is evident from his 15 goals in 17 attempts against Belarus.
At Duhail Sports Hall, defending champions Spain, who had shaky starts against Belarus and Brazil, start clear favourite against Chile today. The victory would secure a pre-quarterfinal spot for the champions.
Spain coach Manuel Cadenas is confident that his team can at least reach semifinals. “At World Championships, you never have easy opponents, but we have the confidence to move forward. However, we have to improve our level,” Cadenas said ahead of their third group match.
Winless Brazil and Belarus will also meet in a do-or-die battle at Lusail Multipurpose Hall today. “It’s still possible to qualify, since we lost to the group’s strongest teams. We are definitely still in contention,” said Belarusian star Siarhei Rutenka, who has played below par so far.
Brazilian top scorer Felipe Ribeiro is still full of confidence. “Nothing is lost so far; we still have two matches ahead. If we win two, including the one against Belarus, we should be in the next round.”
In the remaining matches of Group A, Qatar will meet Spain on January 21 and Belarus on January 23, while Brazil will take on Slovenia on January 21 and Chile on January 23. Chile and Belarus will face off on January 21 and Spain will meet Slovenia on January 23.
In today’s Group B matches, Croatia will meet Iran at Duhail Sports Hall after posting two close wins. Croatia have four points on the account and not only have the chance to remain on top of the group but also to qualify for the pre-quarterfinals.
“We had two kinds of games against Austria and Tunisia, from which we took four points. Now life is easier though we have the highest respect for the Iranians, who have showed great performance so far,” said line player Igor Vori.
Iran, under Slovenian-born Iranian coach Borut Macek, will finish their ‘Balkan journey’ with this match, having already faced Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia. However, after two defeats, Iran have limited chances of making it to the knock-out stage.
Bosnia-Herzegovina will play Macedonia and Austria will meet Tunisia in today’s other Group B matches.

Top five goal-scorers
1. Dragan Gajic (SLO) 24
2. Ivan Cupic (CRO) 19
2. Kiril Lazarov (MKD) 19
4. Zarko Markovic (QAT) 17
5. Allahkaram Esteki (IRI) 16


BELOW:
Spanish players celebrate their win over Brazil on Saturday. Spain take on Chile today. (EPA)