Al-Arabi and Al-Qadisiya renew rivalry in Amir Cup semifinals

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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 7: Soccer enthusiasts eagerly await an exciting face-off at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium at 8:00 pm. The much-anticipated clash in the Amir Cup semifinals will feature traditional rivals Al-Arabi and Al-Qadisiya. Simultaneously, Al-Salmiya is set to meet Al-Tadamon at 4:40 pm at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium.

This evening’s match marks the third encounter between Al-Arabi and Al-Qadisiyah this season, having previously drawn 1-1 and 2-2 in the Zain Premier League. The teams are scheduled to meet twice more in the Zain League (Big Six). The outcome tonight is crucial as one team aims to assert supremacy over the other.

The last Amir Cup face-off between these rivals occurred on September 21, 2021, in the semi-finals, with Al-Qadisiya emerging victorious with a goal from Iraqi Ali Faez.Al-Arabi, currently tied for the Zain League lead with Kuwait at 33 points each, advanced to this round after a narrow 1-0 victory over Sulaibikhat in the preliminary round and a 3-1 win against Al-Nasr in the quarter-finals. The team reinforced its squad during the winter transfer period, bringing in Tunisian Ayman and Algerian Imad Eddine Boubacar.

Al-Qadisiya, occupying the third position in the league with 32 points, faced challenging qualifiers, defeating Yarmouk 2-1 and Al-Fahaheel with the same score in the preliminary and quarterfinal rounds, respectively. Omani Abdullah Fawaz joine Al-Qadisiyah, replacing Tunisian Youssef Bin Souda, as the team aims to clinch a title absent from its trophy cabinet since the 2014-2015 season.

In the second clash, Al-Salmiya aspires to extend its successful journey and secure a spot in the final, seeking a championship it has not claimed since the 2000-2001 season. The team progressed to this round by overcoming Khaitan 4-2 on penalties (1-1) in the preliminary round and triumphing over Kazma on penalties 4-3 (4-4) in the quarter-finals.

Al-Salmiya underwent a strategic transformation during the winter transfer period, welcoming Libyan Senussi Al-Hadi and Austrian Srdan Spiridonović while parting ways with Senegalese Cesar and Brazilian Sebastião Junior.

Al-Tadamon, mirroring Al-Salmiya’s path, secured a place in the semi-finals by defeating Al-Jahra 5-4 on penalties (2-2) in the preliminary round and eliminating defending champion Kuwait in the quarter-finals, also on penalties with a score of 5-4 (1-1).The “Sons of Farwaniya” are determined to prolong their adventure, qualify for the final, and vie for a title that has eluded them since the club’s inception.

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