Handball "Blue" faces South Korea

Kuwait’s national handball team will face South Korea at 11:30 a.m. today in the second round of Group B at the 20th Asian Games, currently being held in Nagoya, Japan. The Blue Team has two points in their pocket following a well-deserved victory over Iran in the group’s opening match last Saturday, while the South Korean side has yet to earn any points, as they open their campaign against Kuwait today.

Led by Icelandic coach Aron Kristjánsson and his assistant Henny Jansen, the Kuwaiti squad relies on a constellation of stars, including Saleh Al-Mousawi, Abdulaziz Al-Shammari—who scored 11 goals against Iran—playmakers Saeed and Hamoud Al-Adwani, playmaker Abdulaziz Salmeen, and team captain Abdullah Al-Khamis.

The coaching staff has devised a tactical plan to counter South Korea, the tournament’s title favorite. The players have been instructed to play with discipline and avoid squandering opportunities, particularly given that the South Korean roster features players with exceptional speed in counterattacks, which serves as their primary weapon against Kuwait’s defensive organization.

Kuwait’s strategy also hinges on the goalkeeper’s alertness, a tight high defensive line, and sealing off the shooting zone to prevent shots from various distances. This matchup is considered an Asian “classic,” as the two teams have competed for titles in previous years.

Earlier, coach Kristjánsson emphasized that Asian competitions are highly competitive and that Group B, in which Kuwait is placed, is a formidable group. He stressed that securing a win requires everyone to double their efforts, maintain caution in both defensive and offensive phases, and play with discipline. He also praised the significant role the players are playing in training sessions and both preparatory and official matches, all in pursuit of the desired goal of raising Kuwait’s name and flag at this major international event.