Kuwait Club seeks more silverware in Crown Prince Cup final against Al-Arabi

In this file photo, Al Arabi player holds back Kuwait Club player during a league match.

KUWAIT CITY, May 17: Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi square off tonight in the final of the prestigious Crown Prince Cup at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:15 p.m. under the patronage and attendance of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Kuwait Club booked its place in the final after a dominant run through the competition, defeating Khaitan and Burgan by identical 3-0 scorelines before edging Al-Nasr 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal clash.

Al-Arabi, meanwhile, began its journey with a 2-1 victory over Al-Yarmouk, then eliminated rivals Qadsia 2-0 in the quarterfinals before securing another 2-0 win against Al-Fahaheel to reach the title match.

“The Whites” enter the final in exceptional form. Kuwait Club is the defending champion and currently holds both the Amir Cup and Zain Premier League titles. It is also on course for a fifth consecutive league crown, sitting nine points clear at the top of the standings ahead of Kazma, who has played one game more.

The club recently strengthened its legacy on the continental stage as well, lifting the AFC Challenge League title after defeating Cambodia’s Svay Rieng 4-3 last week. The triumph marked Kuwait Club’s fourth Asian title following three previous AFC Cup crowns.

Having defeated Al-Arabi 1-0 in last season’s final, Kuwait is aiming to extend its dominance and add yet another trophy to its impressive collection.

Head coach Nebojsa Jovovic possesses a well-balanced squad filled with experience and quality, including goalkeepers Khaled Al-Rashidi and Saud Al-Houshan, alongside players Mohammad Furaij, Sami Al-Sanea, Ali Hussein, Redha Hani, Fahad Al-Hajri, Fahad Hammoud, Ahmad Al-Dhafiri, Yousef Nasser, Faisal Zayed, Mohsen Fallah, Mohammad Daham, and Amr Abdel Fattah. The team’s foreign stars include Mehdi Barrahma, Yassine Khenissi, Idrissa Doumbia, Arsen Zola, and Mohammad Marhoon.

Al-Arabi, however, heads into the showdown highly motivated. “The Greens” are determined to prevent Kuwait from collecting another title, avenge last year’s final defeat, and finally bring silverware back to the club after years of disappointment.

Coach Nasser Al-Shatti knows his side faces a difficult challenge against a confident and experienced opponent, but he believes his players have what it takes to rise to the occasion and reclaim glory.

Among Al-Arabi’s key players are Ali Khalaf, Bandar Al-Salama, Mohammad Khaled, Hamad Al-Harbi, Ali Aziz, Suleiman Abdulghafour, Salman Al-Owaidi, Yousef Majed, Bader Tarek, Abdulmohsen Al-Sharhan, Abdullah Ammar, Ali Abdulrasool, Khaled Al-Murshid, Abdulwahab Al-Owaidi, and promising youngster Hussein Al-Aryan. Their foreign lineup features Kamil Al-Aswad, Zaid Qunbar, Nabil Marmouk, Anabo Aiyola, and new Brazilian signing Sheldon.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah Arab Times Staff