Al-Arabí storms to Crown Prince Cup glory

Al-Arabi players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Crown Prince Cup.

KUWAIT CITY, May 18: Al-Arabi celebrated a major success after defeating Kuwait Club 3-0 in the Crown Prince Cup final at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, securing its 10th title in the competition’s history.

The result was heavily influenced by Kuwait Club being reduced to ten men late in the first half following Mehdi Berrhama’s red card, after which Al-Arabi took full control and went on to seal a comfortable victory.

Kuwait Club started with Saud Al-Houshan in goal. The defence included Mehdi Berrhama, Ali Hussein, Arsen Zola, and Sami Al-Sanea. The midfield featured Idrissa Doumbia, Reda Hani, Mohammed Marhoon, and Amro Abdel Fattah, while Mohammed Daham and Yassin Khennissi led the attack.

Al Arabi lined up with Suleiman Abdulghafour in goal. The defence consisted of Mohammed Khaled, Nabil Marmouk, Leonardo Sheldon, and Abdulwahab Al-Owaidi. The midfield was made up of Ali Aziz, Kamel Al-Aswad, Abdullah Al-Qarzai, and Anayo Iwuala, with Youssef Majed and Zaid Qunbar in attack.

The match began evenly, with both sides cautious and relying on quick transitions in the early stages.

Kuwait Club created the first chance through Mohammed Marhoon, whose effort went over the bar inside the opening minute. Al -Arabi responded through Iwuala, who shot wide in the 7th minute before missing a clear one-on-one opportunity that was saved by Al-Houshan in the 18th minute.

Despite its efforts, Kuwait Club struggled to break through, while Al -Arabi remained compact and competitive against the AFC Challenge League champion and reigning Crown Prince Cup holder.

Iwuala again threatened in the 27th minute from distance but failed to hit the target. The turning point came in first-half stoppage time when Kuwait Club were reduced to ten men after Berrhama was sent off for a foul on Youssef Majed, who was through on goal.

In the second half, Kuwait Club made a change, bringing on Ahmed Al-Dhafiri for Sami Al-Sanea, and started brightly, with Amro hitting the side netting in the 47th minute.

Al-Arabi opened the scoring in the 54th minute when Mohammed Khaled headed in from a free kick awarded after a foul on Iwuala. Kuwait Club nearly responded in the 61st minute, but Ali Aziz failed to convert his chance.

Both teams made substitutions, but Al -Arabi doubled its lead in the 81st minute through substitute Ali Khalaf, who finished a cross from Kamel Al-Aswad.

In stoppage time, Zaid Qunbar added a third goal to complete a 3-0 victory for Al-Arabi.

Referees:

The match was officiated by Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar, assisted by Abdulhadi Al-Anzi and Ali Awad. Yusuf Nassar was the fourth official, while VAR duties were handled by Benjamin Pineda, assisted by Ali Karam.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff