Al-Jahra stuns Al-Arabi as Al-Nasr continues its winning run

Al-Jahra's Chamba clears the ball ahead of Arabi Youssef Maj during the Zain Premier League match.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 31: The second round of the Zain Premier League concludes today with two matches, as Kazma takes on Al-Sahel at Al-Sadaqa Wa Al-Salam Stadium at 6:40 p.m., followed by Al-Tadamon’s meeting with Salmiya at 8:55 p.m.

Kazma will be aiming to make it two wins from two after opening its campaign with a 3-1 victory over Al-Tadamon. Al-Sahel will also be seeking back-to-back victories after edging Al-Sulaibikhat 1-0 in the opening match.

In the later fixture, both Salmiya and Al-Tadamon will be chasing their first points of the season. Salmiya went down 2-1 to Al-Nasr in the opening round, while Al-Tadamon suffered a 3-1 defeat to Kazma.

Al-Jahra produced a late comeback to defeat Al-Arabi 2-1 at Thamer Stadium for its first victory of the season.

Al-Arabi took the lead through Palestinian forward Zaid Qambar in the 29th minute, but Al-Jahra responded after the break. Cameroonian striker Chirest Aflana equalized in the 65th minute before Abdullah Al-Dahes completed the comeback with a dramatic winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

The victory lifted Al-Jahra after its 3-2 defeat to Al-Shabab in the opening round, while Al-Arabi suffered its first loss following a 1-1 draw with Kuwait Club.

Al-Jahra coach Ahmed Abdulkarim praised his players for their character and described the victory as coming at “an important and appropriate time.”

He said the introduction of several foreign players and substitutes after halftime helped raise the team’s performance and allowed them to exploit weaknesses in Al-Arabi’s play.

Abdulkarim admitted that Al-Arabi had been the better side for much of the first half, controlling possession and dictating the tempo. He said he urged his players to remain calm and increase their concentration as the match progressed.

Al-Nasr climbed temporarily to the top of the standings after defeating Al-Fahaheel 2-1 at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium.

The result gave Al-Nasr six points from two matches, while Al-Fahaheel suffered its second straight defeat and remains without a point.

Algerian Aymen Lakjaa put Al-Nasr ahead from the penalty spot in the sixth minute, while Tunisian Hazem Al-Haj Hassan doubled the advantage two minutes into the second half.

Brazilian Vitor Da Silva pulled one back for Al-Fahaheel in the 69th minute, but Al-Nasr held firm to secure their second consecutive victory and move temporarily into first place.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff