Kuwait Club battles Al Shabab for Challenge League semifinal spot

Kuwait Club players hit the training pitch ahead of crucial clash.

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 18: Kuwait Club will face Oman’s Al Shabab today at 12:00 noon at Dolon Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in the AFC Challenge League quarterfinals.

In the other quarterfinal, Lebanon’s Al Ansar meets Kyrgyz side Muras United at 6:00 p.m. at the same venue, with both winners advancing to the semifinals next Wednesday.

Kuwait Club concluded its preparations with a training camp in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, where it played two friendlies—beating Al Taraji 6–1 before drawing 1–1 with Al Fateh.

Despite missing Sami Al Sanea, Fahd Hamoud, and Ahmed Al Zanki, coach Nebojša Jovović has strong squad depth to compensate. The team’s foreign contingent includes Yassine Al Khennissi, Mohammed Marhoon, Arsène Zola, Mehdi Barahma, and Idrissa Doumbia.

Kuwait Club relies on key players such as Ahmed Al Dhafiri, Fahd Al Hajri, Saud Al Houshan, Khaled Al Rashidi, Yousef Nasser, Mohammed Daham, Reda Hani, Amr Abdul Fattah, Ali Hussein, and Faisal Zaid.

Kuwait Club advanced to the quarterfinals after topping Group B with seven points, defeating Al Ansar 3–2, drawing 1–1 with Al Seeb, and beating Bashundhara Kings 2–0.

Domestically, the team sits comfortably at the top of the league table, 12 points clear, but the long break in domestic action since March has raised concerns over match sharpness despite its strong continental pedigree as a three-time AFC Cup champion.

Al Shabab, meanwhile, enters the match in high confidence after topping Group A with a perfect record, winning all three matches and positioning itself as a strong contender for its first continental title.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah /Arab Times Staff