Wednesday 22 / April / 2026
MUSCAT: Oman’s beach handball campaign at the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, opened on a mixed note, with a convincing 2–0 victory over Mongolia followed by a 0–2 defeat to regional heavyweights Qatar on Tuesday.
The split results have placed added emphasis on Thursday’s game against Thailand, with Oman targeting a return to winning ways to keep their progression on track.
Player Hudhaifa Al Siyabi underlined the importance of the opening win, describing it as “crucial” because it reflected the team’s preparations and tactical discipline.
“We approached the Mongolia match with clarity and focus, and we executed many of the plans we worked on in training. That victory was important not just for the points, but for the confidence it gave the squad at the start of the competition,” he said.
On the loss to Qatar, Al Siyabi was candid in his assessment, pointing to the opposition's quality and experience. “Qatar are among the strongest teams in Asia, and matches like these demand the highest level of concentration throughout. We had moments where we competed well, but small mistakes made the difference. It was a tough game, but also a very useful learning experience for us as a team,” he added.
Looking ahead, he stressed that the focus has quickly shifted to the Thailand clash.
“There is no time to dwell on results in a tournament like this. Our mindset is now fully on the next match. We have identified areas to improve, and we are determined to show a stronger, more consistent performance. The goal is clear—to return to winning ways and build momentum as the competition progresses.”
Teammate Asaad Al Hasani echoed that view, noting that the team has taken positives even from the defeat.
“We showed that we can compete at a high level, but we need to maintain that level throughout the entire match. The players are motivated, and we believe we can deliver better results in the upcoming matches,” he said.
Away from handball, Oman’s beach soccer team opens its campaign against Palestine on Thursday, while the beach volleyball duo of Mazen Al Hashemi and Hood Al Jalboub also begin their campaign on Thursday.
In aquathlon, Mohammed Al Ghailani will test himself against top Asian competitors following intensive overseas training in Spain.
