Kuwait Club players celebrate their victory over Kazma.

KUWAIT CITY, April 30: Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi have moved past the Crown Prince Cup, with Kuwait Club securing a 4-2 victory over Kazma and Al-Arabi edging Qadsia 1-0 in the semi-finals last Monday. This sets up an exciting final between the two teams on May 19.

Both teams have quickly shifted focus to their upcoming Zain Premier League matches, where Kuwait Club will face Al-Salmiya and Al-Arabi will take on Qadsia in the third round of the championship group tomorrow.

The league remains a tight two-way race, with Kuwait Club leading the standings with 51 points, closely followed by Al-Arabi in second place with 49 points. With only three rounds remaining, the competition for third place is heating up between Qadsia (38 points) and Al-Salmiya (32 points).

Despite the intensity of their Crown Prince Cup semi-final matches, both teams resumed their preparations just 24 hours later to ensure they are fully ready for tomorrow's crucial encounters. The next round is considered a "crossroads," and both teams are preparing for it with great focus and determination to secure a positive result.

Al-Arabi's progression to the final was a result of solid defensive organization and standout performances, particularly from team captain and goalkeeper Suleiman Abdul Ghafoor. Kuwait Club, on the other hand, showed resilience in its comeback against the "Orange," leveraging its experience to achieve a vital win.

Both teams come into the match without significant injuries, as most of their key players were available for the Crown Prince Cup semi-finals. This gives the technical staff of Kuwait Club, led by Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic, and Al-Arabi's national coach Nasser Al-Shatti, the flexibility to select their best possible lineups.

The upcoming round is crucial for both teams. A win for one and a loss for the other could provide a significant morale boost for the victor, while the loser may face a dip in confidence. This dynamic could have a major impact on the race for the title, with both teams aiming to finish at the top of the table with only two rounds remaining in the competition.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff