Doha: Qatar's national handball team faced a narrow defeat against Saudi Arabia, losing 26-25 in their first friendly match on Monday. This game is a part of their preparatory measures for the upcoming 22nd Asian Men's Handball Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Kuwait from January 15 to 26. The tournament will also act as a qualifying event for the 2027 World Championship in Germany.

According to Qatar News Agency, the two teams are set to compete again in a second friendly match on Wednesday. Qatar is focused on achieving peak performance levels before the Asian Championship, where they find themselves in Group A alongside South Korea and Oman. The championship's format will see Group B featuring Bahrain, Iraq, China, and Jordan; Group C comprising Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and India; and Group D consisting of Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.

The top two teams from each group will move forward to the main round, consisting of eight teams divided into two groups. The leading two teams from each group will then qualify for the semifinals, automatically securing their place in the 2027 World Championship.

Qatar, aiming to defend its Asian title, has a strong track record, having won the last six editions of the championship. The team has participated in the World Championship ten times, achieving its best result as the runner-up in the 2015 tournament hosted in Doha. Last year, Qatar clinched the 21st Asian Championship title in Bahrain after a 30-24 victory over Japan in the final.