Great optimism from Kuwait during the last training session before facing Bahrain.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 30: Kuwait faces a decisive showdown against Bahrain tonight at 8:45 pm at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in the semi-finals of the Khaleeji  Zain 26.

Kuwait advanced to this stage as the second-place team in Group A with five points, trailing Oman only on goal difference. Kuwait drew 1-1 against both Oman and Qatar and secured a 2-1 victory over the UAE. Meanwhile, Bahrain topped Group B with six points, edging Saudi Arabia on goal difference. Bahrain defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2, overcame Iraq 2-0, and suffered a 1-2 loss to Yemen.

Recent head-to-head encounters favor Bahrain, including a 4-2 win in the penultimate Gulf Cup and a 2-0 victory in the 2021 Arab Cup qualifiers. The last Gulf Cup clash between the two ended in a 1-1 draw. Kuwait's most recent win over Bahrain in an official match dates back to January 2013, a 6-1 triumph in the third-place playoff of the 21st Gulf Cup in Manama.

Kuwait is eager to capitalize on home support to secure a spot in the final—a feat the team hasn't achieved in 11 years since the 21st Gulf Cup. However, it faces challenges with Ahmed Al-Dhafiri sidelined due to card accumulation and Hassan Hamdan out with an injury. Youssef Majed, recovering from a shoulder dislocation, remains a game-time decision.

Key players Reda Hani, Khaled Ibrahim, Yousef Nasser, Sultan Al-Enezi, and Meshari Ghannam have undergone recovery programs and are now ready for selection by Argentine coach Juan Pizzi. Pizzi is expected to employ a dynamic lineup, with Khaled Al-Rashidi in goal, a defense featuring Khaled Ibrahim, Hamad Al-Harbi, Fahad Al-Hajri, and Meshari Ghannam, and a midfield led by Reda Hani alongside Sultan Al-Enezi and either Moaz Al-Aseema, Eid Al-Rashidi, or Faisal Zayed. The attack will likely include Yousef Nasser, Mohammed Daham, and potentially Youssef Majed, with Mubarak Al-Fenini or Salman Al-Awadhi as alternatives.

Pizzi understands the significance of maintaining focus, maximizing midfield control, and executing tactical precision to overcome Bahrain’s well-structured team.

Bahrain, led by Croatian coach Dragan Talajic, aims to continue its impressive run and reach the final, seeking a second Gulf Cup title after its historic triumph in the 24th edition in 2019. With key players like Mohammed Al-Marhoon, Mohammed Madan, Mahdi Abdul-Jabbar, and goalkeeper Ibrahim Lutfallah, Bahrain poses a formidable challenge for Kuwait.

Tonight’s clash promises intense competition as both teams vie for glory and a spot in the   Championship final.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff