Al-Nasr and Al-Fahaheel players jump for the ball during the Zain Premier League match.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 23: Defending champion Kuwait Club continued its march toward the Zain Premier League title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Al-Shabab at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium. Meanwhile, Al-Nasr secured a 4-2 win over Al-Fahaheel in another exciting clash.

The win solidified Kuwait Club’s hold on first place, bringing its total to 36 points as it pushes steadily toward retaining the league crown. Al-Shabab remained seventh with 15 points.

Kuwait Club dominated from the opening whistle. Taha Al-Khuneisi opened the scoring in the 16th minute, followed immediately by Amro Abdel-Fattah in the 17th. Ahmed Al-Dhafiri added a third goal in the 29th minute. Al-Shabab’s Chukwemeka Ozuokwe pulled one back in the 35th minute, but Kuwait Club’s Malik Zola (55’) and Reda Hani (87’) sealed a decisive victory.

In the other match, Al-Nasr extended its recent good form with a 4-2 triumph over Al-Fahaheel. Talal Jaza (36’), an own goal by Carlos (55’), Haykal Al-Sheikhawi (penalty, 86’), and Hussam Al-Habbasi (90+2’) scored for Al-Nasr, while Lucas Vilella netted both goals for Al-Fahaheel (63’ and penalty 95’). With the win, Al-Nasr reached 12 points, climbing to eighth place, while Al-Fahaheel stayed sixth with 18 points.

The round will conclude Tuesday evening with a crucial match between Al-Tadamon and Al-Jahra at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium (kickoff 9:30 pm).

Both teams are fighting to escape the bottom of the table. Al-Jahra sits last with seven points, while Al-Tadamon is ninth with eight points.

Al-Jahra has struggled recently, failing to earn any points in its last seven matches. Al-Tadamon, however, has regained momentum, winning 1-0 against Al-Qadsia last Tuesday in a postponed Round 11 fixture and eliminating Al-Jahra in the Crown Prince Cup quarterfinals.

By Hasan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff