QNA
The reigning champions Al Arabi will take on Bahrain's Al Najma on June 12 in their opening clash in the 23rd Asian Club League Handball Championship, it was revealed yesterday.
Apart from Al Arabi, their familiar Qatari opponents Al Duhail will also participate in the championship which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. According to the schedule announced by the Asian Handball Confederation (AHC) yesterday, Al Arabi will play their second group match against Saudi side Mudhar on June 13.
They will meet Kuwaiti side Al Salmiya on June 16 and Iranian side Shahid Shameli Kazeroon on the following day. Al Duhail open their confrontations in the second group against Uzbekistan's AGMK on June 12, then Saudi side Al Wehda on June 13. They will face Yemeni side Al Qaten on June 14 and Kuwait's Al Kuwait on June 16. Al Duhail conclude their matches in the group stage against Iranian side Mes Kerman on June 17.
The first and second place winners from each group qualify for the semi-finals of the 11-team tournament on June 19. The two winners qualify for the final will be held on June 21.
Al Arabi qualified for the championship after winning the Qatar Handball League, while Al Duhail booked their place in the event after becoming the Amir Cup champions in the 2019-2020 season.
Al Arabi won the last edition of the Asian championship, held in Samcheock, South Korea, in 2019, after defeating Saudi Arabia's Al Wehda (21-19) in the final.