Salmiya defender makes a clean tackle against Al-Arabi forward during the Zain Premier League match.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 24: Kuwait Club is on the brink of clinching the Zain Premier League title, with its lead over closest rivals Kazma and Al-Arabi extending to 12 points with nine rounds remaining. Kuwait Club remains unbeaten this season, poised to claim its fifth consecutive title and the 21st in club history.

Kazma claimed second place after a dramatic 4-2 victory over visiting Al-Qadsia in Round 14 at the Friendship and Peace Stadium. Al-Qadsia led at halftime, but the home team staged a strong comeback to secure all three points.

In the first half, Kazma opened the scoring through Didier Lamkel in the 4th minute from a penalty. Al-Qadsia responded in the 31st minute with a goal from Mubarak Al-Fenini, and added a second in stoppage time via Abilai, also from a penalty.

Kazma dominated the second half, with Nasser Mohamoud equalizing in the 48th minute, followed by Amir Abdullah’s goal in the 55th minute. Nasser Faleh completed the comeback with a fourth goal in the 72nd minute, sealing the 4-2 win.

The victory moved Kazma to 24 points in second place, while Al-Qadsia remains fifth with 22 points. Coach Nabil Maaloul rested several players to prepare for upcoming matches against Burgan in the Amir Cup preliminary round on Friday and against Qatar’s Al-Rayyan in the Gulf Club Champions League semi-final first leg midweek.

In another tight contest, Al-Salmiya handed Al-Arabi its third consecutive defeat, defeating it 1-0 at Thamer Stadium. The “Sky Blue” displayed a disciplined performance, with Imad Al-Lawati scoring the decisive goal in the 8th minute.

Al-Salmiya now rises to fourth place with 23 points, while Al-Arabi slips to third, remaining on 24 points.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff