Doha: Qatar SC will face Kuwait’s Al-Sulaibikhat SC on Wednesday in the final group stage of the 40th Arab Clubs Handball Championship, currently taking place in Kuwait until September 22. Qatar SC is seeking its first victory in the tournament in order to advance to the quarterfinals after drawing its first match against Al Nawaeer SC of Syria with a 29-29 score, while losing the second match against Al-Hashd SC of Iraq with a 21-31 score, and losing the third against Al Ahly SC of Egypt with a 22-29 score.

According to Qatar News Agency, the tournament features 10 clubs divided into two groups. Group A includes Kuwait SC (host), Naft Al Basra SC of Iraq, Kazma SC of Kuwait, and Al-Tali’aa SC of Syria. Group B consists of Qatar SC, Al Ahly SC of Egypt, Al Hashd SC of Iraq, Al-Sulaibikhat SC of Kuwait, Al Shabab SC of Syria, and Al Nawaeer SC of Syria. The top four teams in each group will qualify for the quarterfinals.

Kuwait SC holds the title of the last edition of the tournament, which was also held in Kuwait last year, after defeating fellow Kuwaiti side Al Salmiya 32-23 in the final. Al Gharafa SC of Qatar finished third after defeating Al Qadisiya SC of Kuwait 33-26 in the third-place match.

Al Rayyan SC of Qatar won the 21st edition of the tournament, held in Sharjah in 2000, and Al Gharafa SC won the 35th edition, held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, in 2019.