Qatar players during a training session held at Al Duhail Sports Hall.
Doha: Reigning Asian champions Qatar and African giants Egypt will square off in the first of the two friendly handball games, to take place at the Al Duhail Sports Hall today.
Al Annabi are playing the friendly matches as part of their preparations for the next month’s Asian Handball Championship to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 18 to 31.
Qatar’s second match against Egypt will be played on Thursday before the Asian giants take on Iraq on January 4 and January 6 in the two more friendly matches.
Qatar team management has planned the friendlies to ensure best preparations for the national side ahead of Asian Championship, which will also act as qualifying tournament for the 2023 World Men’s Handball Championship.
The top five teams of the Asian Championship will qualify for the event to be jointly hosted by Poland and Sweden.
Qatar have been highly successful at the Asian Championships, claiming four consecutive titles in the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 editions.
Qatar handball team players and officials pose for a photograph ahead of the upcoming friendly matches against Egypt.
Al Annabi defeated South Korea to clinch their fourth straight Asian crown in Kuwait last year.
In the upcoming 17-team Asian Championship, Qatar are placed in Group C along with the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Oman.
Group A includes South Korea, Kuwait, Jordan and Singapore while hosts Saudi Arabia, Iran, Australia and India form Group B. The Group D includes Japan, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The top two sides from each group will advance to the next stage, which will see eight teams – divided into two groups – in action ahead of the semi-final stage.
