The Gulf team wins the Saudi Handball Super Cup for the fourth time in its history

The Gulf Handball Team won the Saudi Super Cup for the sports season for the second time in a row and the fourth in its history.

The crowning of “Al-Khaleej” with the title came after it defeated its counterpart, “Al-Nour” with a score of (22-15), in the confrontation that brought them together at the Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Sports City Hall in Qatif Governorate, amid a public presence and great interaction that filled the stands.

The match witnessed a great technical competition, as Al-Khaleej finished the first half ahead with a score of (12-10), before imposing its advantage during the course of the second half and deciding the confrontation in its favor by a margin of seven goals. At the closing ceremony, Hassan Hilal, President of the Saudi Handball Federation, crowned the players of the champion team with gold medals and the cup, while a member of the Federation’s Board of Directors, Farid Al-Saleh, awarded the Al-Noor Club players with silver medals after they came in runner-up in the tournament, in addition to honoring the arbitration crew. And match observers.

In turn, Abdulaziz Al-Sihati, a member of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Club, expressed his happiness with his club’s handball team achieving the first championship of the season after winning the Saudi Super Cup. Al-Sihati confirmed in a special statement to Asharq Al-Awsat that achieving the championship is the result of cumulative work from successive departments in the Gulf Club and is confirmation of the success of the “Return of a Champion” project, noting that thanks are extended to everyone who works for the team in all technical and administrative positions and the club’s previous management, as the competition is even at the continental level.

He stated that this tournament is a good omen for the upcoming tournaments that await the team, stressing that the thought is linked to victory and nothing else in all competitions.

Senegalese Edouard Mendy, Al-Ahly's goalkeeper, confirmed that his team did not perform at the required level during the past two matches, noting that the great victory over Riyadh 5-0 came after a conversation within the team to restore the character to which it was accustomed.

Speaking to the media after the match, Mendy said: “We were aware among ourselves that we had not done enough in the past two matches. The scenario of each match was different, but it is clear that what we presented was not enough, and this is not our true character. We talked a lot during this week, and reminded ourselves of the things that make us strong, and we knew that we would play at home and that we had to achieve the three points to get back on the right path, and this is what we did.

In response to a question about whether the players had any role or influence in the resignation, Mendy said: “We are footballers and we do not make such decisions. The place we should be speaking is on the playing field, and that is where our response should be. We are players before anything else, and no one is bigger than the club, and no one will ever be bigger than the club.”

He added: “We are competing in a large number of competitions and matches, so why are we worried? We play and prepare for every match. We are one of the clubs that plays the most matches in Saudi Arabia and Asia. So we just have to focus on our work, believe in ourselves, and continue working hard, because our success will only be achieved by working and standing together.”

Mendy stressed the importance of Al-Ahly fans’ support for the team, saying: “I want to stress that we are united. As I tell the fans that we are with them, we also need them to be with us. They have to support us and every player on the team. “As long as any player is here and wears the club’s shirt, we must all stand behind him.”

He continued: “Just ten days ago, the fans gave an exceptional reception to one of the players, and he is now a member of the team and part of this family. What is bigger than all of them is this family and this club, the largest club in Asia and not just in Saudi Arabia.

Mendy concluded his speech by emphasizing the responsibility of the players towards the club and its fans, and said: “We have a responsibility to show Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom, Asia and the world that we are the best club. “We want any player who comes here to feel welcome and happy to be there, just as our fans have always done with each of us.”

He added: “These things should not change.” We love our fans and care about them, and I am sure they love each one of us too.”

Englishman Evan Toney, Al-Ahly striker, defended his Ukrainian teammate Artem during the huge 5-0 victory over Riyadh, criticizing the booing whistles that Al-Ahly fans launched towards the player, and stressing the importance of the team and its fans remaining united.

Tony, who appeared to gesture to the fans during the match, explained: “We were 3-0 ahead at the end of the first half, and it is important that the fans are with us.” I feel like they were booing a specific player, and I don't understand that. The player did not do anything wrong, he is here and he is part of the family, and it is important that we all stay united and support each other.”

He added: “You cannot boo a player and then expect him to perform well. I don't understand that. He is in a different country, he is still young, and there is a lot of pressure on him. “We stand by him, we are together, and that is what family does.”

Regarding the reasons for Al-Ahly’s return to victories after losing the previous two matches, and achieving a wide victory with five goals, Tony said in response to a question about the “secret” of the victory: “We scored the goals.” "This is the secret."

Al-Ahly had won the first half with a three-goal lead, before strengthening its advantage with two goals in the second half, achieving a wide victory over Riyadh with a score of 5-0.