Players fighting for the ball during the league match.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 12: Al-Nasr secured a strong and positive start in the 58th edition of the "Merge" Handball League by defeating last season's runner-up, Al-Qadsiya, with a score of 30-26 in the final match of the opening round. This victory earned Al-Nasr its first two points in the competition. The opening round also saw Al-Salmiya claim a 35-30 win over Al-Sulaibikhat while defending champion Kuwait Club triumphed over Al-Qurain 33-29. All matches were held at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Complex Hall.

The Handball League standings after the first round are as follows: Khaitan leads the table with two points, edging Fahaheel, who sits in second place, on goal difference. Kazma holds third place, followed by Salmiya in fourth, Kuwait Club in fifth, Al-Nasr in sixth, and Al-Arabi in seventh. Burgan remains without points in eighth place, followed by Al-Qadsiya in ninth, Al-Qurain in tenth, Al-Sulaibikhat in 11th, Yarmouk in 12th, Al-Sahel in 13th, and Al-Tadamon at the bottom in 14th place.

The second round of the league kicks off tomorrow, Monday, with Fahaheel facing Burgan, Khaitan taking on Al-Arabi, and Yarmouk squaring off against Al-Nasr. On Tuesday, Salmiya will meet Al-Sahel, while Al-Qurain will battle Al-Sulaibikhat. The round concludes on Wednesday with a match between Al-Tadamon and Kazma, and the highly anticipated clash between Kuwait Club and Al-Qadsiya.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff