KUWAIT CITY, Dec 22: Al-Qadsia will be seeking a vital victory when they host Bahraini side Sitra tonight at 8:00 PM at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in the fourth round of Group A in the Gulf Club Champions League. Earlier in the day, Iraqi club Zakho will face the UAE’s Al-Ain at 5:30 PM in the same group.

The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation postponed the match by 24 hours at Al-Qadsia’s request to avoid a scheduling conflict with the Amir Cup final.

Al-Qadsia has no margin for error if it hopes to advance to the semifinals, currently sitting last in Group A with just one point. Sitra occupies third place with two points, while Zakho leads the group with seven points, followed by Al-Ain with six.

Al-Qadsia has struggled in the first three matches, earning only a 1-1 draw with Sitra, and suffering defeats to Zakho (1-3) and Al-Ain (0-1).

The team’s recent form in domestic competitions has been inconsistent, as they sit fourth in the Zain Premier League with 14 points—six behind leaders Kuwait, three behind Al-Arabi, and level on points with third-placed Kazma. Al-Qadsia also came off a 1-2 defeat to rivals Al-Arabi last Wednesday.

These setbacks have prompted criticism of head coach Nabil Maaloul and the foreign players, with Algerian Victor Lekhal the only standout performer. Meanwhile, the futures of Libyan Mohamed Soule, Egyptian Mahmoud Kahraba, and Congolese Nicenze Kiebo remain uncertain.

Al-Qadsia will be without goalkeeper Hameed Al-Qallaf, who is undergoing surgery after a complete knee cartilage tear, and suspended player Jassem Al-Matar. Positive news comes in the return of Victor Lekhal, Ahmed Al-Yahya, Youssef Al-Haqan, and goalkeeper Ali Jrag, whose fitness will be evaluated before the match.

Sitra, meanwhile, approaches the game with only one objective: a win to keep their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff