Al-Qadisiya-Al-Arabi derby takes center stage in Amir Cup semifinals

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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 4: Al-Qadisiya, Al-Arabi, Al-Salmiya, and Al-Tadamon clubs have initiated their preparations for the upcoming semifinals of the Amir Cup competition, set to take place next Thursday. The anticipated clash between the “Yellow” and the “Green” will unfold in the Kuwaiti football “derby,” while Al-Salmiya will face the “Sons of Al-Farwaniya.”

The four clubs are poised to organize internal training camps starting tomorrow, aiming to elevate their readiness levels for optimal performance in one of the most prestigious tournaments. They are all vying for the title, with Al-Salmiya seeking to break a 23-year absence, Al-Qadisiya aiming to end a 9-year drought, and Al-Arabi pursuing victory after 4 years. Meanwhile, Al-Tadamon has yet to clinch the title since the tournament’s inception in the early 1960s.

Al-Arabi’s Salman Al-Awadi, Sultan Al-Anzi, and Hassan Hamdan remained sidelined, while Nigerian Anayo Iwala has joined training, though his full readiness for participation is still uncertain. Players Badr Al-Mutairi, Saif Al-Hashan, and Abdullah Ammar are grappling with various injuries, causing them to miss matches in the Amir’s Cup.

Al-Qadisiya’s coach, Ali, has expressed confidence in the readiness of all his players, with Abdulaziz Wadi rejoining training after missing the quarter-final against Al-Fahaheel due to health reasons. However, Youssef Al-Haqqan, who needed stitches in the head, has an unclear status for the upcoming “Derby.”

Meanwhile, Bahraini newcomer Mahdi Humaidan has joined Al-Samiya after completing his participation in the Asian Cup with his national team, making him ready for the match against Al-Tadamon.During the winter transfer period, Al-Salmiya made strategic signings, including Bahraini Humaidan, Austrian (of Serbian origin) Srdan Spirdunović, Hajer Saudi player, Libyan Al-Senussi Al-Hadi, to complement Brazilian Alex Lima and Gambian Sang-Pierre. This was coupled with the decision to part ways with Senegalese Cesar Ousinho, Brazilian Sebastião Junior “Seba,” and Ghanaian Isaka Abudu. However, reconsideration is underway, especially after Srdan’s impressive performance against Kazma in the quarter-finals, leading to a potential retention of Isaka Abudu and a reconsideration of releasing the Austrian professional.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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