Kuwait's "Hand of Youth" in a decisive test against their Saudi counterpart

Kuwait’s youth handball team faces a tough and decisive match against Saudi Arabia at 11:00 a.m. today (Friday) in the quarter-finals of the 19th Asian Youth Championship, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Youth Championship in Macedonia. The tournament is being hosted in Chuzhou, China, until the 27th of this month.

Kuwait advanced to the quarter-finals after finishing fourth in Group B with six points, earned from three victories over India, Japan, and Qatar, and three defeats against Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea. Saudi Arabia qualified by topping Group A with 10 points, achieved through five consecutive wins against Bahrain, China, Chinese Taipei, Oman, and Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the Saudi team enters the match armed with the outstanding performance they displayed in the group stage, which enabled them to secure five straight victories, with their sights set on reaching the semi-finals and the World Championship.

Kuwait’s Danish coach, Henning Jensen, will attempt to capitalize on his players’ determination and fighting spirit to secure a win, relying on organized defense, closing spaces between defenders, counter-attacks, and activating the role of the wingers, in addition to organized attacks combined with shots and penetrations from both the front and back lines.

Three quarter-final matches are scheduled for today: Iran faces Bahrain at 7:00 a.m., the United Arab Emirates plays China at 9:00 a.m., and South Korea meets Chinese Taipei at 1:00 p.m.