Al-Khaleej's first handball team strengthened their hold on first place in the Saudi Premier League standings after securing a valuable and well-deserved 31-27 victory over their direct rivals, Al-Ahli. The exciting match, held at the Ministry of Sports Hall in Dammam, was one of the highlights of the fourteenth round of the competition and represents a significant step for Al-Khaleej towards reclaiming the coveted title.
Al-Khaleej's exceptional run towards the title
With this crucial victory, Al-Khaleej maintained their unbeaten record this season, raising their points tally to 26 from 13 consecutive wins and widening the gap with their closest rivals. Al-Huda sits in second place with 21 points, while Al-Ahli remains in third with 20 points. This impressive performance reflects the club's technical and administrative stability, as well as the tactical and physical strength of its players, who have demonstrated clear superiority in both defense and attack throughout the season, putting them in an ideal position to secure the title with several rounds remaining in the league.
Historical context and the importance of competition
The Saudi Handball League is one of the strongest leagues in the region, boasting a rich history of fierce competition among established clubs like Al-Ahli, Al-Noor, and Mudhar, who have dominated the championship for many years. Al-Khaleej's dominance this season breaks this pattern and heralds a strong comeback for one of the sport's powerhouses in the Kingdom. Based in Saihat, Al-Khaleej Club has a long and distinguished history in Saudi handball and is a key contributor to the national teams at all levels. Winning the title this season would not only add to the club's trophy cabinet but also confirm the success of its strategy in building a strong team capable of competing both domestically and continentally.
The local and Asian impact of the league title
Winning the Saudi League title is not only about local glory, but also about representing the Kingdom on the international stage. The league champion qualifies for the Asian Men's Club League Handball Championship, the most prestigious tournament in Asia. This international representation places a responsibility on the champion to uphold the honor of Saudi handball and provides its players with opportunities to compete against different handball styles and gain international experience. Furthermore, the high level of competition in the domestic league directly contributes to raising the standard of the Saudi national team, which consistently strives for success in continental and global championships.
Results of the remaining matches of round 14
The round also witnessed other intense matches, with Al-Huda maintaining their second-place position with a hard-fought 26-24 victory over Al-Noor. In another match, Mudhar secured a crucial 23-22 win against Al-Muheet, while Al-Wahda edged out Al-Adalah 34-32. The final match saw Al-Zulfi defeat Al-Safa 33-24.
Saudi Premier Handball League standings (after round 14)
| team | game | beat | draw | Lost | points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Gulf | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| 2. Guidance | 13 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 21 |
| 3. Al Ahly | 13 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| 4. Harmful | 13 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 16 |
| 5. Light | 13 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 16 |
