Qadsia draws with Bidda and Kuwait Club heads to Kyrgyzstan

Al Qadsia player controls the ball as Al Biddah player defends during the friendly encounter.

DOHA, April 14: Al Qadsia was held to a goalless draw by Qatar’s Al Bidda in a friendly match held in Doha, as the Kuwaiti side continues preparations for its Gulf Club Champions League semi-final against Al Rayyan.

The match formed part of the team’s training camp in Qatar ahead of Sunday’s semi-final clash. Doha is hosting the remaining stages of the competition, with the other semi-final featuring Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab against Iraq’s Zakho, and the final scheduled for April 23.

Head coach Nabil Maaloul used the friendly to rotate his squad and assess player fitness, with several key absences affecting selection. Bader Al-Mutawa, Talal Al-Fadhel, and Khaled Ibrahim did not travel due to work commitments, while Abdulaziz Wadi is sidelined through injury. Mubarak Al-Faneeni is also reportedly doubtful.

Al Qadsia are set to resume training as they complete final preparations, with no further warm-up matches planned due to time constraints.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Club has departed for Bishkek after concluding its training camp in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, ahead of its AFC Challenge League quarter-final against Oman’s Al Shabab on April 19.

The match will be played at the Dolon Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek at 12:00 pm Kuwait time.

Kuwait Club warmed up with two friendlies in Dammam, defeating Al Ettifaq 6-1 before drawing 1-1 with Al Fateh.

Oman’s Al Shabab has already arrived in Bishkek with a 25-player squad led by Dutch coach Ilco Schattorie.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times