Burgan seeks a rebound against Al Ahly at the Handball Club World Cup

Burgan player challenges a Füchse Berlin opponent for the ball during their opening match.

Burgan will look to make amends for its opening defeat when it takes on Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly at 8 p.m. today in the second round of Group B at the Handball Club World Championship in Cairo.

The Kuwaiti side made its debut at the global tournament with a 38-18 loss to German giants Füchse Berlin on Wednesday, with the gulf in experience and quality clear between the two teams.

Burgan will aim to put that result behind it and deliver a stronger performance against Al Ahly, who are playing on home soil. The coaching staff has worked on addressing the shortcomings exposed in the opening game while improving the team’s attacking and defensive efficiency.

The first-round results saw Los Angeles beat Sydney 23-17, Zamalek defeat Morocco’s Derb Sultan 42-18, Barcelona overcome Brazil’s Pinheiros 44-33, and Veszprém beat Al Ahly 31-23.

Burgan knows it faces another demanding test against an Al Ahly side with considerable African and international experience. However, the Kuwaiti team will look to stay compact, improve its concentration, and seek a positive result, with securing a point through a draw also within its sights.

The match represents another valuable opportunity for Burgan players to gain international experience during its first appearance at the Club World Championship.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff