Kuwait Club’s Al-Khatib takes responsibility for Nasaf defeat

05/11/2026

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 5: Kuwait Club coach Firas Al-Khatib has taken full responsibility for his side’s 3-2 defeat to Uzbekistan’s Nasaf Qarshi in the fourth round of the AFC Champions League Two, apologizing to the club’s supporters.

“I take responsibility for the loss and apologize to Kuwait Club’s fans,” Al-Khatib said after the match.

The Syrian coach said Kuwait Club had enjoyed a strong first half and gone into the break with a 2-0 lead, but a defensive lapse after the interval, coupled with costly errors, allowed Nasaf to turn the game around and score three goals.

Despite the setback, Al-Khatib praised his players for their hard work and commitment, pledging to address the defensive mistakes ahead of the team’s upcoming fixtures.

He insisted that Kuwait Club remained firmly in the race for qualification and would fight for a place in the next round in its final two group matches.

Al-Khatib added that the team had already turned its attention to domestic competition and was preparing for Sunday’s Zain Premier League encounter against Sahel.

Kuwait Club remains second in the group with six points despite the defeat. Nasaf Qarshi climbed to third with four points, level with Bahrain’s Khalidiya, while the UAE’s Al-Wahda tops the standings with nine points.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff