Bahrain Maintain Perfect Start in Asian Championship

Bahrain maintained their flawless start at the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship yesterday with a convincing 40-29 victory over China in their second Group B match at the Saad Al Abdullah Sports Hall in Kuwait City. The result not only keeps the kingdom unbeaten, but also all but secures their qualification for the main round, with just one preliminary game remaining.

Under Swedish coach Robert Hedin, the Bahrainis were dominant from the first throw, combining rapid ball movement with aggressive defensive pressure that disrupted the Chinese attack. Jassim Khamis led the charge with eight goals, earning Man of the Match honors, while Mohamed Habib Ahmed and Mohamed Nasser Mohamed added six goals each. Star player Salman Al Showaikh contributed four goals and created key scoring opportunities, helping Bahrain steadily pull away. Other contributors included Ahmed Kadhem (4), Qasim Qambar (2), Ali Alasheeri (2), Hasan Madan (2), Sayed Ali Al Sayyad (2), and single goals from Jaafar Farsan, Mohamed Rabea, Ali Shubbar, Abdulla Abdulkarim, and Ali Mohamed.

China struggled to mount a response, managing only sporadic bursts of scoring. Bahrain took a commanding 20-10 lead by halftime and maintained control throughout the second half, ultimately closing the match with an 11-goal margin. The victory cements Bahrain’s position in the main round and highlights their pedigree as gold medal winners from the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games.

The tournament also serves as the qualifier for the 30th IHF Men’s Handball World Championship in Germany 2027. The single round-robin group stage sees the top two teams advance, with the semi-finalists determined on January 27, all of whom will qualify for the World Championship. Teams not advancing will compete for the Martyr Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah Cup.

Bahrain return to action tomorrow at 4pm against Iraq in a crucial clash that could decide Group B’s top spot, with both teams currently undefeated on 4 points, while China and Jordan are yet to score. The championship runs until January 29 in Kuwait City, featuring 15 nations in total.