Saudi Arabia defeats the UAE 33-19 in the Asian Handball Championship in Kuwait
The Saudi national handball team achieved a resounding and well-deserved victory over its Emirati counterpart with a score of (33-19), in the strong encounter that brought them together within the main round of the (22) Asian Men’s Championship, which is currently being hosted by the sisterly State of Kuwait amidst a highly competitive atmosphere.
The match saw clear dominance from the Saudi national team from the opening minutes, as they managed to widen the scoring gap thanks to their tight defensive tactics and swift counter-attacks. This outstanding performance culminated in Saudi national team star, Captain Mujtaba Al-Salem, receiving the Man of the Match award. He was presented with the award by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Handball Federation, Mr. Hassan bin Nasr Hilal, in recognition of his significant efforts and crucial role in leading the team to this resounding victory.
This edition of the Asian Championship is of paramount importance, as the competition is not limited to the continental title but also serves as the main gateway to qualifying for the World Men's Handball Championship. Continental tournaments held in the Gulf countries always attract significant public and media attention, given the remarkable development of Gulf handball over the past two decades. Gulf national teams have become formidable forces in Asian handball and constant contenders for World Championship qualification spots.
The resounding 14-goal victory over the UAE reflects the Saudi national team's technical and physical readiness, as well as the coaching staff's desire to secure points early and guarantee a high ranking in the group. This win serves as a significant morale boost for the players before entering the complex calculations for the final standings in the main round.
The Saudi handball team is scheduled to conclude its matches in this round with a highly anticipated encounter against Bahrain on Sunday at 4:00 PM. Matches between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in handball are considered a special "Gulf derby," always characterized by intense competition, excitement, and closely matched skill levels. This particular match will be pivotal in determining the final group standings and the chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the tournament.
