Oman take on UAE in handball friendly tourney today

MUSCAT: Oman’s national handball team will begin its campaign in the international friendly tournament on Friday evening with a match against the United Arab Emirates, as the Sultanate of Oman hosts the competition from January 2 to 6 at the main hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
The tournament features three nations — Oman, the UAE and Iraq — and forms a key part of the teams’ final preparations for the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship, scheduled to take place in Kuwait later this month. The continental event also serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2027 IHF Men’s World Championship, which will be held in Germany.
Oman have been drawn in Group A of the Asian championship alongside defending champions Qatar and South Korea, the UAE will compete in Group C with hosts Kuwait, Hong Kong and India.

Iraq are placed in Group B with Bahrain, China and Jordan, while Group D comprises Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia.
The friendly tournament is designed to enhance technical and physical readiness, providing coaching staffs with an opportunity to evaluate players and fine tune tactical plans ahead of the demanding Asian challenge. Eight teams will advance to the main round of the Asian championship, with the top two teams from each group progressing.
Friday’s opening match between Oman and the UAE carries added significance, as it will be the second friendly meeting between the two sides during the current preparation phase. The teams last met in Sharjah in December, when the UAE edged Oman 26–25. Oman’s coaching staff, led by national coach Nabil al Balushi and his assistant Ahmed Ambusaidi, will be eager to build on recent progress, address previous shortcomings and further strengthen team cohesion and fitness levels.

The UAE enter the tournament with similar ambitions, having undertaken a series of domestic and overseas training camps and played several high-level friendly matches as part of their build up, aiming for a deep run in the Asian tournament.
The friendly tournament continues on Saturday with a match between Iraq and the UAE. Oman will face Iraq twice, on January 4 and 6, completing four warm-up matches before travelling to Kuwait on January 13. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Oman’s technical staff will reduce the squad from 22 players to the final 16 who will represent the country at the Asian championship.