The Saudi national handball team, known as "Al-Akhdar" (The Green), revived its hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the 21st Asian Men's Handball Championship, currently being held in Bahrain, and took a giant step towards securing a place in the 2027 World Championship. This revival came after achieving a decisive victory over the UAE national team in the second round of the main round, thus compensating for its stumble in the opening round against the Qatari national team.
The general context of the tournament and its importance
The Asian Men's Handball Championship is the most prestigious continental event in the sport. Its importance extends beyond determining the continental champion; it also serves as the primary gateway to qualifying for the World Championship organized by the International Handball Federation. This year's edition holds added significance, as the top four teams will directly qualify for the 2027 World Championship – the ultimate goal for all participating teams, including the Saudi Arabian national team, which boasts a strong history in continental and international competitions.
A decisive confrontation and qualification scenarios
After defeating the UAE, the Saudi national team has placed itself at the heart of a complex qualification scenario ahead of its final and decisive match against Bahrain, the host nation. The Saudi team's qualification scenarios will be determined precisely by the result of this match
- Winning by a margin of 6 goals or more: This scenario guarantees the Saudi national team's direct qualification to the semi-finals, regardless of the result of the Qatar-UAE match.
- Winning by a margin of 5 goals: In this case, the Saudi and Bahraini teams will be equal in points and goal difference, and the criterion of the number of goals scored by each team in the tournament will be used to determine the qualifier.
- Any other result: Any result other than winning by at least 5 goals could put Al-Akhdar’s chances at risk, and depends on the results of other teams.
Expected impact and importance of qualification
Qualifying for the continental semi-finals and subsequently the World Championship carries implications that extend far beyond mere sporting achievement. Domestically, this success boosts the popularity of handball in the Kingdom and serves as an inspiration to the next generation of players. Regionally, triumphing over a strong and competitive team like Bahrain solidifies Saudi Arabia's position as a leading force in Gulf and Asian handball. Internationally, participation in the World Championship offers an opportunity to compete against the world's best handball schools and gain invaluable experience that will contribute to the long-term development of the national team. Saudi fans now eagerly await Sunday's decisive match, hoping that the Green Falcons will secure their place in the next round and continue their journey towards continental and global glory.
