publish time

04/03/2024

author name Arab Times

publish time

04/03/2024

Frankis Marzo is defended as he goes for a goal.

DOHA, March 4: The Kuwait Club handball team is on a mission to defend its Gulf champion title as it faces off against Qatar's Al-Rayyan in the final match of the 40th Gulf Cup Winners’ Club Championship. The much-anticipated showdown is set to take place at six in the evening today at Al-Duhail Hall in the Qatari capital, Doha. Before the final clash, at four in the afternoon in the same venue, a match will unfold to determine the third and fourth places between the host, Al-Arabi Qatar, and Bahrain's Al-Dair.

The reigning champion, "Al-Abyad," clinched its first Gulf title in the previous edition, triumphing over Bahrain’s Al-Najme in the final, scoring 29-27 in Manama last March. The team secured its spot in the championship final by overcoming the host Al-Arabi, Qatar, in a nail-biting encounter that went into extra time, concluding with a score of 39-36. Al-Rayyan earned their place in the final by defeating Al-Dair Al-Bahraini with a score of 30-27.

In the tournament's second group, it triumphed over Al-Shabab of Bahrain and Maliha of the Emirates, suffering only one loss to Al-Rayyan. The "Sons of Kaifan" aspire to achieve a dual victory by avenging its previous loss to Al-Rayyan and securing the Gulf title for the second consecutive time. The technical prowess of the Al-Kuwait team, led by coach Haitham Al-Rashidi, is anchored by Frankis Marzo, Angel Hernandez, and Brazilian club player Vinicius. The team also boasts local talents, including Abdullah Al-Khamis, Saleh Al-Moussawi, Abdullah Al-Gharabally, Mishal Taha, Abdulaziz Al-Shammari, Mishari Siwan, Saif Al-Adwani, Muhammad Amer, and goalkeepers Ali Safar and Muhammad Boyabes.

In league matches, Kazma secured a victory against Al-Fahaheel with a score of 33-28, while Al-Sulaibikhat dominated Al-Tadamon with a score of 38-19, and Yarmouk triumphed over Al-Sahel with a score of 37-23. With these results, "Orange" scored 8 points, while "Red" maintained 4 points. Yarmouk now holds three points, Al-Sahel remains scoreless, and Al-Sulaibikhat raised its score to three points, leaving Al-Tadamon without a score.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff