Kuwaiti players celebrate their victory over Hong Kong.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 18: Kuwait will conclude its Group C campaign at 6:00 pm today, taking on the UAE in the final round of the main stage of the Asian Handball Championship, currently underway at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex.

Three additional matches are scheduled for today. Saudi Arabia faces Australia at 2:00 pm (Group D), followed by India against Hong Kong at 4:00 pm, while Iran meets Japan at 8:00 pm in another Group D encounter.

Results from the third round of the preliminary stage, played last Saturday, saw Kuwait defeat Hong Kong 39–25, the UAE overpower India 43–21, Iran cruise past Australia 39–13, and Saudi Arabia edge Japan 27–24.

These results allowed Kuwait to maintain top spot in Group C on goal difference ahead of the UAE, with both teams collecting four points and securing qualification to the main round. Hong Kong and India finished the group without points.

Saudi Arabia leads Group D with four points from two wins, sealing qualification to the next round. The second qualification berth remains up for grabs between Iran and Japan, both on two points and separated only by goal difference, while Australia exited the race after finishing bottom without a point.

The Blues are keen to preserve their Group C lead and claim an important morale-boosting victory over the UAE, which is also targeting first place after already booking its place in the next round.

The other Group C match between India and Hong Kong is largely academic, with both sides already eliminated and playing only for final positioning.

In Group D, competition is expected to intensify between Iran and Japan as both teams chase victory and the second qualifying ticket behind Saudi Arabia, who wrapped up top spot with consecutive wins in the previous rounds.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, will aim for a third straight victory when it faces winless Australia, hoping to advance convincingly and strengthen its push for qualification to the 2027 Handball World Cup in Germany.

Dr. Saleh Al-Majroub, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Football Association, expressed pride in the Kuwaiti Handball Federation for hosting one of Asia’s premier sporting events, the Asian Championship, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.

“Handball ranks second only to soccer in popularity and enjoys a strong fan base,” Al-Majroub said. “My presence at the championship reflects our full support for the Handball Federation, especially as the tournament is being staged in Kuwait, a land of friendship and peace, under national leadership that deserves everyone’s backing.”

He wished the national team success and voiced hope that Kuwait would reach the podium and secure qualification for the upcoming World Cup in Germany.

UAE Ambassador to Kuwait Dr Matar Hamed Al-Neyadi praised Kuwait’s hosting of the championship, highlighting the country’s exceptional ability to organize major sporting events to the highest standards.

He noted that the organizing committee had provided all necessary facilities to ensure the comfort of participating delegations, adding that such professionalism is characteristic of Kuwait’s commitment to delivering successful tournaments.

Al-Neyadi concluded by wishing the Gulf teams competing in the championship continued success and progression to the later stages.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff