Kuwait: The tournament, running from January 15 to 29, serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup finals in Germany.

Despite being fully aware of Qatar’s continental and international pedigree, Oman entered the match with clear intent to challenge their highly experienced opponents. The national side started with a lineup comprising Bashar Al-Hinai, Hamad Al-Daghishi, Hussein Al-Balushi, Azzan Al-Maashari, Mohammed Al-Hasani, Taha Al-Hadidi and Mahmoud Al-Wahibi.

Oman showed early promise, with Mahmoud Al-Wahibi opening the scoring. However, Qatar responded swiftly, asserting control through their experience and tactical discipline. Hamad Al-Daghishi scored Oman’s second and third goals, while Taha Al-Hadidi added another in the 22nd minute. Despite several chances to narrow the gap, Oman went into halftime trailing 12–6.

In the second half, Oman’s technical staff, led by head coach Nabil Al-Balushi and assistant Ahmed Ambusaidi, introduced several changes in an effort to curb Qatar’s dominance and reduce the deficit. While Oman’s performance improved in phases, missed opportunities and shooting errors allowed Qatar to maintain control, eventually sealing a 27–15 victory.

Oman will now turn its focus to its second group match against South Korea national handball team on January 18, a crucial fixture that will play a significant role in determining the team’s chances of advancing to the main round. The coaching staff is currently preparing a tactical approach tailored to South Korea’s playing style.

The championship officially got underway with an opening ceremony attended by senior sports officials, including Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Sport Bashar Abdullah, Asian Handball Federation President Bader Al-Dhiyab, the federation’s secretary Faisal Baqer, and Acting President of the Handball Federation Shabeeb Al-Hajri.

In his remarks, Bashar Abdullah said Kuwait’s hosting of the tournament reflected its strong organizational capabilities and experience in staging major sporting events. He added that preparations were carried out through a comprehensive plan covering venues, team delegations, and media and logistical requirements. Bader Al-Dhiyab, meanwhile, praised the organizing committee’s efforts, noting that the championship provides a platform to identify emerging talent and raise the technical standards of handball across Asia.

The tournament continues on Saturday with four matches, including Australia vs Iran, India vs the UAE, Hong Kong vs Kuwait, and a concluding clash between Saudi Arabia and Japan.