Al-Qadsia departs for Doha, Al-Humaidan set to join the squad

Qadsia's Mahdi Al-Humaidan controls the ball during a league match.

KUWAIT CITY, April 5: Al-Qadsia’s squad departed overland today to Doha for an overseas training camp ahead of its Gulf Champions League semifinal against Al-Rayyan on April 19. Preparations will officially begin tomorrow under Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul.

Maaloul is determined to continue Al-Qadsia’s strong run and push for the title, having recently turned down an offer from CR Belouizdad to remain with the team until the end of the season.

The team will play two friendlies during the camp to rebuild fitness levels after a forced halt in training since early March due to the suspension of sporting activity.

Al-Qadsia will be without Bader Al-Mutawa, Talal Al-Fadhel, and Khaled Ibrahim, while Bahraini international Mahdi Al-Humaidan is set to join the squad tomorrow from Manama.

If Al-Qadsia advances, it will meet the winner of Zakho (Iraq) and Al-Shabab (Saudi Arabia) in the final scheduled for April 23. The semifinal against Al-Rayyan will be played at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium at 8:00 PM, while the other semifinal will take place at Khalifa International Stadium at 5:00 PM. The final will also be staged at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Club has begun its overseas camp in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, holding double training sessions under Montenegrin coach Nebojša Jovović, who has named a 24-player squad.

“The Whites” are also set for two friendly matches before heading to Kyrgyzstan to face Oman’s Al-Shabab in the AFC Challenge League quarterfinals. Fahad Hamoud, Sami Al-Sanea, and Ahmed Al-Zanki were absent from the traveling squad.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff