Kuwait Club celebrate after beating Al-Jahra in the Zain Premier League.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 17: Kuwait Club strengthened its lead at the top of the Zain Premier League after the 11th round, extending the gap to five points over its closest rival, Al-Arabi.

The defending champion capitalized on its 2-0 victory over Al-Jahra, while Al-Arabi settled for a 1-1 draw against fourth-placed Al-Fahaheel. This result lifted Kuwait Club to 29 points, with Al-Arabi trailing at 24 points.

Although Kuwait Club faced resistance from Al-Jahra, who employed a defensive strategy to limit the damage, the league leader secured three vital points, keeping its pursuit of a fifth consecutive title on track.

Al-Arabi, meanwhile, struggled to break down Al-Fahaheel’s defense, scoring only a late equalizer and dropping two crucial points that could impact its title hopes.

The league will take a short pause as both Kuwait SC and Al-Arabi prepare for the Crown Prince Cup semi-finals tomorrow. Kuwait Club will face Al-Nasr, while Al-Arabi will meet Al-Fahaheel.

Fans are eagerly anticipating a decisive clash in the 12th round, when Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi meet at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium next Saturday.

Al-Qadsia was the biggest beneficiary of this round, returning to winning form with a 4-1 triumph over Al-Shabab. The victory lifted its points total to 18, moving it into third place and closing the gap on second-placed Al-Arabi.

The win also ended Al-Qadsia’s two-match winless streak, following a 0-0 draw with bottom-placed Al-Nasr and a 2-0 defeat to Al-Arabi in earlier rounds. Al-Shabab remains in seventh with 13 points.

Al-Salmiya, in sixth with 14 points, continued to drop points after drawing with 10th-placed Al-Nasr, allowing the latter to gain ground on teams like Al-Tadhamon (5 points) and Al-Jahra (7 points).

Meanwhile, the Kazma vs. Al-Tadhamon match has been postponed to a later date.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff