Fiery start to Zain Premier League as Kuwait Club faces Al-Arabi

A file photo of Kuwait Club and Al Arabi players showing sportsmanship.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 24: The 65th edition of the Zain Premier League kicks off today with a blockbuster clash as five-time defending champion Kuwait Club faces Al-Arabi at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium at 6:45 p.m. Al-Qadsia will also begin its campaign away to Al-Fahaheel at Nayeef Al-Dabbous Stadium at 9 p.m.

The opening round continues tomorrow, with Al-Shabab hosting Al-Jahra at 6:45 p.m. at Al-Shabab Stadium in Ahmadi, while Al-Salmiya takes on Al-Nasr at Thamer Stadium at 9 p.m.

The round concludes the following day when Al-Sahel meets Al-Sulaibikhat at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium at 6:45 p.m., before Kazma hosts Al-Tadamon at Friendship and Peace Stadium at 9 p.m.

Kuwait Club begins its title defense, aiming to extend an unprecedented run of five consecutive league championships.

The Whites have retained most of their key local players and kept continuity among their foreign professionals, with Brazilian Carlos Vinicius the main change after replacing Ivorian Idrissa Doumbia.

The champion has also added local trio Salman Al-Awadi, Hassan Hamdan, and Abdullah Al-Qarzai, all former Al-Arabi players.

Syrian coach Firas Al-Khatib has been handed the reins after replacing Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos, who oversaw the team during last month’s pre-season camp in London.

Al-Khatib knows Kuwaiti football well, having played for Al-Nasr, Al-Qadsia, Kuwait Club, Al-Arabi, and Al-Salmiya before moving into coaching. He spent the previous four seasons in charge of Al-Fahaheel.

Al-Arabi will seek to spoil the champion’s opening-day plans under Croatian coach Goran Sablic. The team recently suffered a 4-1 defeat to India’s East Bengal in the AFC Champions League Two playoff, a result that sent it into the AFC Challenge League.

The availability of Nigerian forward Anayo Iwuala remains uncertain, but Al-Arabi has plenty of experienced players and foreign professionals capable of making an impact.

Meanwhile, Al-Qadsia is targeting a winning start under returning coach Mohammed Ibrahim as they attempt to challenge for a league title that has eluded the club for several years.

Al-Fahaheel, on the other hand, begins life after Al-Khatib, who guided the club for four seasons. Slovakian coach Martin Sevela has taken over and will make his first coaching appearance in the Gulf as the club looks to improve on its previous campaigns.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff