Kazma and Kuwait Club share the lead as the Zain Premier League takes a break

KUNA photo Kazma and Al-Shabab players vie for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 7: Kazma moved level with defending champion Kuwait at the top of the Zain Premier League after rallying to beat Al-Shabab 3-2 in the third-round finale at Al-Shabab Stadium.

The victory took Kazma to seven points, alongside Kuwait Club, while Al-Shabab remained on four points and slipped to sixth place.

Shabib Al-Khaldi opened the scoring for Kazma in the 26th minute with a fine finish. Al-Shabab responded through Matheus Eduardo, who caught goalkeeper Faisal Al-Subaie off his line and scored from near the halfway line in the 34th minute.

Kazma regained the lead three minutes into the second half when Michel found the net with a spectacular effort. Al-Shabab levelled again through Turalis Tim in the 77th minute, but Nasser Mohdoh sealed Kazma’s victory with the decisive goal five minutes from full time.

Al-Khaldi was named the round’s best player for the second time this season, having also won the award in the opening round.

Elsewhere, Al-Salmiya secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al-Sahel, with Omar Ali scoring the only goal. The win lifted Al-Salmiya to six points, level with Qadsia and Al-Nasr, while Al-Sahel remained on four points and dropped to seventh.

Al-Arabi’s difficult start continued as it drew 3-3 with Al-Sulaibikhat. Both sides now have two points from three matches, with Al-Arabi occupying 10th place on goal difference.

Al-Fahaheel, meanwhile, recorded its first win of the season by defeating Al-Tadamon 4-1. The defeat left Al-Tadamon at the bottom of the 12-team table after three consecutive losses.

The Zain Premier League will now take a break until early October, with Kuwait set to participate in the 27th Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia, which kicks off on September 23.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff