The newly introduced Super Cup.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 31: Al-Qadsia and Kuwait Club will clash in the Super Cup final at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, with both sides competing for the newly introduced trophy.

The two rivals meet after Kuwait claimed the previous Super Cup title in each of the last four seasons. Kuwait Club remains the competition’s most successful club with nine titles, followed by Al-Qadsia with six, while Al-Arabi has won the trophy three times.

Kuwait Club is chasing a fifth straight Super Cup crown, buoyed by its strong form in recent years. Kuwait Club swept all domestic trophies last season, is currently top of the Zain Premier League with an eight-point lead and 12 rounds remaining, and has also secured a place in the Crown Prince Cup final.

After defeating Al-Salmiya 2–0 in the semifinals, Kuwait Club will look to continue its recent dominance over Al-Qadsia, having beaten it 2–1 in the league earlier this season. Kuwait Club’s most recent Super Cup triumph also came at Al-Qadsia’s expense, edging it  7–6 on penalties following a 1–1 draw.

Al-Qadsia, meanwhile, is eager to reclaim the Super Cup title, which has eluded it since 2019, and to put an end to Kuwait Club’s superiority in recent seasons. It reached the final after a thrilling comeback win over traditional rival Al-Arabi, overturning a 3–1 deficit to claim a dramatic 4–3 victory in the semifinals.

Despite that morale-boosting result, Al-Qadsia has struggled for consistency this season. Al-Qadsia currently sits third in the league standings, 11 points behind Kuwait Club, and was eliminated from the Crown Prince Cup at the quarterfinal stage by Al-Arabi.

Injuries continue to trouble Al-Qadsia, with Abdulaziz Wadi and goalkeeper Ali Jarrah sidelined, while Rashid Al-Dosari remains doubtful after suffering an injury against Al-Arabi. There has also been speculation surrounding Algerian midfielder Victor Lekhal, who has reportedly received an offer from Saudi club Al-Riyadh, although Al-Qadsia is said to be seeking a player swap, especially with the local winter transfer window nearing its close.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff