Al-Sahel regains First Division League lead as promotion race heats up

Players fighting for the ball during the First Division match between Khaitan and Yarmouk.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 8: With just four rounds remaining in the First Division League, the battle for promotion to the Premier League has intensified, with Al-Sahel, Yarmouk, Al-Sulaibikhat and Al-Jazeera competing for the two available promotion spots for the 2026-27 season.

Al-Sahel reclaimed the top spot after capitalizing on dropped points by Yarmouk and Al-Sulaibikhat. The Abu Halifa-based side secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Sporty in the 17th round to move to 37 points.

The victory was particularly important for Al-Sahel, which had been held to draws in its previous two matches. Those results against Khaitan and Burgan cost the team four points and allowed its rivals to move ahead temporarily.

Yarmouk and Al-Sulaibikhat both failed to take advantage of Al-Sahel’s earlier slip-ups, drawing 0-0 with Khaitan and Burgan respectively. Yarmouk moved to 36 points, while Al-Sulaibikhat remains in contention.

Al-Jazeera also made the most of the dropped points at the top, crushing Al-Shamiya 5-0 to move to 34 points. The result left them just one point behind Yarmouk and Al-Sulaibikhat and three points adrift of leaders Al-Sahel.

With four rounds still to play, the promotion race remains wide open, with every point potentially proving decisive.

Yarmouk first-team manager Abdulaziz Al-Failakawi expressed disappointment after his side was held to a goalless draw by Khaitan.

“We wasted three valuable points that were within our reach,” Al-Failakawi said, noting that Yarmouk had created numerous clear chances but failed to convert them.

He said Yarmouk dominated the match in both halves but were denied by poor finishing and a lack of luck in front of goal.

Al-Failakawi urged his players to put the result behind them and focus on Tuesday’s clash with Burgan.

“All the remaining matches are decisive. There is no room for defeat or dropping more points if we want to secure promotion to the Premier League,” he said.

The Yarmouk manager added that he remained confident in his players and their ability to deliver improved performances in the decisive final rounds.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff