TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s handball team lost to Bahrain 29-20 in the 2022 Asian Games Main Round Group Ⅰ on Saturday.

Iran, who had lost to Kuwait 24-22 in their first match in the Main Round, will play South Korea on Sunday.

Team Melli had defeated Mongolia, lost to Japan and shared the spoils in a draw with Saudi Arabia in Group D.

Iran handball team won a bronze medal in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha and claimed the silver four years later in Guangzhou.

With more than 12,000 competitors from 45 nations and territories, the 2022 Asian Games has more participants than the Olympics.

Iran has sent 289 male and female athletes to the Games in 34 sports events.