Bader Al-Mutawa leads Qadsia players on to the field.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 23: Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul attributed Al-Qadsia’s latest setback to the challenging circumstances the team has faced recently, particularly the series of injuries affecting key players.

Al-Qadsia suffered a 0-1 defeat to UAE’s Al-Ain at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in the second round of Group A of the Gulf Champions League. The match’s only goal came in the 68th minute from Youssef Suleiman.

The loss has significantly reduced Al-Qadsia’s chances of advancing to the semifinals, marking its second defeat in the group stage. The team now sits last in the group with zero points, while Al-Ain leads with 6 points, Iraqi side Zakho is second with 4 points, and Bahrain’s Sitra holds third place with 1 point.

This marks Al-Qadsia’s fourth consecutive defeat in less than a month — two in the Zain Premier League and two in the Gulf Champions League.

Maaloul highlighted that the team struggled with multiple absences due to injuries and other issues, affecting overall performance. He confirmed that six players have been unavailable for the past three months, including Mubarak Al-Funaini, Eid Al-Rashidi, Moath Al-Dhafiri, Sofiane Boushar, Jassim Al-Matar, Mohamed Soula, and Abdulaziz Wadi.

He also noted that foreign players face challenges as they join the squad late and are still regaining full match fitness, adding that their performance assessment will take place in December.

Maaloul stressed that these factors contributed to Al-Qadsia’s recent defeats at home and abroad, while expressing confidence in the squad’s ability to bounce back and deliver positive results.

“We have gone through a difficult period, but I trust the players to overcome this phase and return stronger.”

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff