A file photo of Arabi and Qadsia players fighting for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: On Saturday, at 10:00 PM, the spotlight of the Kuwait Volleyball League shines on the clash between Al-Qadsia and Al-Arabi, with an earlier match at 8:00 PM featuring Al Sahel against Al Sulaibikhat. Both games will be held at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex Hall.

League leader Kuwait Club tops the standings with 20 points, followed by Al-Qadsia with 17, and Al-Arabi in third with 15. Kazma sits fourth with 14, Al Sulaibikhat fifth with 13, Burgan sixth with 11, Al Shabab seventh with 10, Yarmouk eighth with 5, Al Nasr ninth, and Al Sahel at the bottom with zero points.

Al-Qadsia aims to bounce back from last round’s unexpected 2-3 defeat to Yarmouk, hoping to secure all three points and temporarily share the top spot with Kuwait Club, who faces Al Nasr on Sunday. Coach Sinisa counts on professional players Brazilian Caio and Pakistani Murad Jehan, alongside experienced local talent.

The club has also filed a protest regarding the Yarmouk match, claiming the opponent fielded professional and youth players, violating league rules.

Al-Arabi returns after the league’s hiatus since January 10 due to the West Asia Clubs Championship hosted by Kuwait Club. The team’s last outing ended in a 1-3 loss to Kazma. Coach Milan aims to challenge Al-Qadsia for second place, relying on professional players Dominican Felix Santos and Uzbek Islam Subirov, complemented by key local stars.

In the earlier fixture, Al Sulaibikhat is expected to secure a straightforward victory over winless Al Sahel.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff