Man of the match Youssef Madouh.

AMMAN, Sept 3: The Kuwait junior handball team made a strong start in Group Four of the 10th Asian Championship, a qualifier for the 2025 World Cup in Slovenia, which began in Amman, Jordan, and will run until the 14th of this month. The team secured its first two points by defeating Chinese Taipei with a score of 37-31. Youssef Madouh was named the best player of the match.

Today, the second round of the preliminary stage will feature five matches. Kuwait faces China at 1:45 pm in Group Four, while Iran takes on Chinese Taipei in the same group. In Group One, Bahrain plays Iraq, India meets Jordan in Group Two, and Qatar locks horns with UAE in a Gulf derby in Group Three. The tournament's system allows for five teams to qualify for the World Cup.

Shabib Al-Hajri, Vice President of the Kuwait Handball Federation and Head of the Kuwait delegation in the Asian Championship, praised the team's impressive performance against Chinese Taipei, noting its well-deserved victory.

"We have great handball talents who gave their best, especially in the crucial opening match. It was the most important match to bring them into the Asian Championship atmosphere and give them the confidence they need for the upcoming games," Al-Hajri said.

He emphasized the significance of today's match against China, calling it a gateway to qualifying for the second round. He expressed full confidence in the Kuwaiti players, their abilities, and their commitment to representing Kuwaiti handball with honor.

The Kuwait junior handball team, led by Montenegrin coach Marko Martinovic and his assistant, national coach Hussein Habib, prepared for the 10th Asian Championship with a training camp in Slovenia, where it played several friendly matches. It also played two friendly matches against South Korea in Kuwait before departing for Jordan.

By Khaled Al-Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff