A file photo of Kuwait Club and Al Arabi players battling for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 20: The third round of the Zain Premier League kicks off tonight with a high-stakes encounter between Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi, set for 7:30 p.m. at Sabah Al-Salem Stadium.

Both teams sit atop the league table with six points each, with Kuwait Club leading on goal difference. Tonight’s match will also mark the return of Mohammed Daham (Kuwait Club) and Anabo Iwala (Al-Arabi), who missed the first two rounds.

Defending champion Kuwait Club has started strong, beating Al-Tadamon 3-1 and Al-Jahra 4-1. Al-Arabi, meanwhile, secured wins over Al-Shabab (2-0) and Al-Fahaheel (3-0).

Kuwait Club is looking to reaffirm its dominance over Al-Arabi following last season, when the White team captured both the league title and the Crown Prince Cup, edging Al-Arabi in the final stages.

Despite its strong start, Kuwait Club knows tonight’s victory won’t come easily. Coach Montenegrin Nebojsa Jovanovic is aware that Al-Arabi, with recent squad and coaching changes, will be a tough opponent. The team will need full concentration and effort to secure another win.

Al-Arabi, under Portuguese coach Marco, aims to maintain its positive momentum and challenge for the top spot. Players are motivated to avenge last season’s defeats, when Kuwait denied them both league and Crown Prince Cup glory.

Al-Arabi has finalized a deal with Palestinian forward Zaid Al-Qannabr, who will replace Belgian player Julien Ngoy.

Club officials worked quickly to secure his international transfer certificate ahead of the foreign player registration deadline, which closed at 9:00 p.m. Saturday.

The 23-year-old Al-Qannabr previously played for Al-Ahly Benghazi in Libya, featuring in 24 matches last season and scoring 10 goals.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff