Kazma faces Ettifaq in Gulf Champions League opener

A file photo of Kazma players celebrating.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: Kazma begins its Gulf Champions League campaign with a tough away test against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq at 9:00 pm today at EGO Stadium in Dammam.

The match marks the opening round of Group C, which also features the UAE’s Ajman hosting Iraq’s Erbil.

Kazma will be eager to make its return to the regional competition count after a lengthy absence. The Orange have lifted the Gulf title twice, in 1987 and 1994, but have since struggled to maintain their former stature, with their participation in overseas competitions and appearances on the podium becoming increasingly rare.

However, Kazma has made a promising start to the current domestic season and heads into the encounter in encouraging form. It occupies third place in the Zain Premier League with eight points from two wins and two draws, trailing leader Kuwait Club by two points and second-placed Qadsia by one.

It opened its league campaign with a 3-1 victory over Tadamon before drawing 0-0 with Sahel. A 3-2 win over Shabab followed, before it shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Al-Arabi last Friday.

Croatian coach Dragan Tadić, who is in his second season at the helm, will look to build on that consistency and guide his side to a positive result in their first continental test.

Kazma’s local contingent includes Shabib Al-Khaldi, Sultan Al-Enezi, Meshal Al-Shammari, Nasser Faleh, Abdullah Ghanem and Mohammed Antar. It will be supported by foreign professionals: Idriss Chabi of Algeria, Torless Knöll of Germany, Nasser Mahdhow of Yemen, Patrick Robson of Brazil, and Senegal’s Amath Ndao.

Al-Ettifaq, meanwhile, will seek to capitalise on home advantage. The Saudi side sits seventh in the Roshn Saudi League with 12 points, 14 behind leaders Al-Hilal.

Under Australian coach Arthur Papas, Al-Ettifaq boasts several quality players, including Marek Rodák, Abdullah Al-Khatib, Jack Hendry, Madallah Al-Olayan, Meshal Al-Alayli, Radi Al-Otaibi, Álvaro Medrán, Ondřej Duda, Bersant Celina, Moussa Dembélé, Khaled Al-Ghannam, Thamer Al-Khaibari and Nawaf Al-Saadi.