MUSCAT, Sept 8 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti participation in the Ninth Asian handball tournament held in Oman witnessed ups and downs as Al-Qadsiya sporting club won his first match and his fellow Kuwaiti team Al-Salmiya lost his second game.
Al-Qadsiya smashed Qatari team al-Sadd 29-16. The Kuwaiti team had a great show that ascended to Kuwait's handball reputation, ending the first half with six-goal difference 16-10.
Al-Qadsiya's control of the match continued, depending on counter attacks mostly spearheaded by Mahdi Al-Qallaf, which helped the Kuwaiti team widened the gap.
On the other hand, Al-Salmiya lost to host team Muscat of Oman by one goal 25-24, in the teams' second match in the tournament held at Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex in Bausher.
The Kuwaiti team could not live up to its renowned status despite readiness for the championship, ending the first half 12-14 behind. Al-Salmiya's poor performance continued throughout the second half, during which the Omani team took advantage of by launching a number of counter attacks that eventually granted it the match.
Al-Salmiya's team manager Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, who congratulated the Omani team on its performance, told KUNA that his team did not perform well. He added that the Omani team of Muscat was the "tournament's surprise."
The championship hosted by Muscat Club kicked off on September 7 and would be concluded on September 18. Muscat Club earned the right to host the Asian continent's premiere tournament when the Asian Handball Federation relocated the championship from Lebanon, the original host of the tournament.
Al-Salmiya Club have been placed in Group A with Barbar Club of Bahrain, Kerman of Iran, Muscat of Oman and Al-Rayyan of Qatar, while Group B comprises Al-Qadsiya of Kuwait, Al-Sadd of Qatar, Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia, and Foulad of Iran.
