‘General’ hails Qadsia display in Challenge League as Al-Arabi seeks response

Mohammed Ibrahim with his technical staff.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 18: Qadsia coach Mohammed Ibrahim praised his players for delivering a strong performance in their 3-0 victory over Bangladesh’s Fortis in the opening round of the AFC Challenge League.

The Yellow Castle secured the win at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in its Group C opener. In the other match, Tajikistan’s Regar-TadAZ defeated India’s Goa 2-1.

Ibrahim lauded the commitment shown by his entire squad, saying the club’s discreet approach to recruitment ahead of the new season had paid dividends, with the foreign signings making an immediate impact.

“Moroccan forward Ayoub Lakhdar was suffering from a health problem that forced him to miss the last two training sessions. Cedric Henry returned to the defensive line because of the circumstances of the match, as we had to make substitutions after two players’ sustained injuries,” Ibrahim said.

He stressed that he had full confidence in all his players and expressed particular satisfaction with the performances of Muath Al-Dhafiri, Khaled Mohammed Ibrahim, Cedric, and Khaled Sabah.

Hamza Khabba gave Qadsia the lead from the penalty spot in the 20th minute, before Lakhdar added a second in the 71st minute. Abdullah Matawa completed the scoring in the 90th minute.

Qadsia will take on Regar-TadAZ tomorrow before concluding their group-stage campaign

Al-Arabi coach Mohammed Abdelnabi pointed to his side’s lack of attacking effectiveness and poor finishing, along with injuries and forced substitutions, as the main reasons for their opening defeat in the AFC Challenge League.

Al-Arabi lost 1-0 to Syria’s Homs Al-Fida on Thursday in its Group B opener, with the group matches being held in Tajikistan.

Abdelnabi said the injury to midfielder Khaled Al-Murshid in the 20th minute disrupted his team’s plans and forced tactical adjustments.

He added that Homs Al-Fida capitalized on its only clear opportunity before adopting a defensive approach and holding on to the lead until the final whistle.

Al-Arabi faces Tajikistan’s Istiklol tomorrow in a crucial second-round match. Istiklol also began its campaign with a 1-0 defeat, losing to Lebanon’s Al-Najma.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff