Qadsia faces tough test against Al Rayyan in Gulf Champions League semifinal

Qadsia players intensify training for the showdown.

DOHA, April 18: Qadsia will look to overcome challenging circumstances when it meets Qatar’s Al Rayyan tonight at 8:00 p.m. at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Doha, in the semi-final of the Gulf Champions League, with hopes of reaching the final for a second straight season.

In the other semi-final, Iraq’s Zakho takes on Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab at 5:00 p.m. at Khalifa International Stadium, with both winners advancing to Thursday’s final in Doha.

Qadsia arrives at the decisive stage amid difficult conditions, most notably the suspension of sporting activity in Kuwait since early March. After Doha was confirmed as the venue for the remaining matches, the club rushed to complete travel visa procedures, which took time and delayed their preparation and travel.

The Kuwaiti side will also be missing several key players, including Bader Al-Mutawa, Khaled Ibrahim, and Talal Al-Fadhel, due to work commitments, as well as Abdulaziz Wadi and Mubarak Al-Faneeni, which will force the technical staff to find solutions after a long break from competitive action.

Despite the setbacks, Qadsia is banking on its experience in the competition, having finished the group stage with 10 points and secured qualification with a crucial final-round win. It is determined to avoid a repeat of last season, when it lost the title to Iraq’s Duhok.

The team has been preparing in Doha, where it played a single friendly that ended in a goalless draw against Al Bidda. Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul used the match to fine-tune tactics and assess readiness ahead of the semi-final.

Meanwhile, Al Rayyan enters the clash with strong momentum, boosted by home advantage, vocal support, and recent success, including a QSL Cup title. It also topped its group unbeaten with 12 points

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah /Arab Times Staff