Al Wedaei: Our Desire to Win Decided the Final

Sayed Ammar Al Wedaei Reflects on Barbar’s Handball Title Win Over Al Ahli

TDT | Manama

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Barbar’s Sayed Ammar Al Wedaei described his side’s championship-winning campaign as a product of belief, unity, and the ability to turn difficult moments into momentum. He spoke after their 28-26 win over Al Ahli in the 2025-26 Khalid bin Hamad Bahrain Handball League final at the Khalifa Sports City Arena on Tuesday night.

The final was closely contested from start to finish, with neither side able to build a comfortable lead. Both teams traded goals throughout a tense, physical encounter, with momentum shifting repeatedly as defensive pressure and fast transitions defined the match. Barbar, however, stayed composed in the closing stages and delivered a late push that ultimately separated the teams and secured their seventh league title, their first since the 2018-19 season.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Al Wedaei said the difference came down not only to tactics, but to mentality.

“As a group, our desire to win was stronger than that of Al Ahli’s,” he said. “We believed in ourselves at every stage of the match and throughout the season, and that shared determination made the difference when it mattered most.”

Al Wedaei also highlighted that Barbar’s season was shaped as much by what happened off the court as on it, pointing in particular to key breaks during the campaign that could have disrupted their rhythm.

Instead, he said, those interruptions became a turning point.

“The breaks we had during the campaign were very important,” he explained. “We chose to use them positively to improve ourselves as a group. They did not affect us negatively. Instead, they helped us come back stronger each time.”

Barbar’s progress through the season reflected that growth. After finishing fourth in the regular season and entering the knockout stages as underdogs, they raised their level in the most decisive moments. They produced a major upset against defending champions Al Najma in the semi-finals before edging past Al Ahli in a tense final that was decided in the closing minutes.

Behind that rise, Al Wedaei emphasized the importance of internal chemistry and growing trust within the squad.

“At the beginning of the journey with my teammates, we worked on building confidence in each other, both individually and collectively,” he said. “Over time, we developed a strong connection, and that trust gave us extra motivation in every match.”

He also credited the supporters for playing a meaningful role in the team’s momentum throughout the season.

“We also built a strong connection with the fans,” he added. “That support gave us extra motivation and helped push us in key moments.”

For Barbar, the victory marked the culmination of a season defined by belief under pressure, with the final once again showing how fine margins decide championships.