Al-Mutawa and Al-Qallaf take part in Qadsia’s training sessions in Turkey.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: Al-Qadsiya will kick off its series of friendly games tomorrow evening against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Akhdoud as part of its training camp in Turkey to prepare for the upcoming season.

The Yellows are also scheduled to play two additional friendlies against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Faisaly and UAE’s Al-Emarat on August 12 and 19, respectively. Two more matches are currently being arranged before the camp concludes on August 29.

Al-Qadsiya is preparing for the new season’s opener against Al-Nasr in the first round of the Zain Premier League, set to begin on September 12.

Under the guidance of Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul, Al-Qadsiya continues rigorous training sessions. The technical and administrative staff hold daily meetings with players to review recent shortcomings and work on improvements. The team focuses not only on technical and physical preparation but also on motivating players and strengthening their psychological readiness.

Al Arabi faced its second friendly loss after falling 1-0 to UAE side Bani Yas during its training camp in Abu Dhabi.

Portuguese coach Marco Alves aimed to give as many players as possible game time. He made several substitutions, introducing Abdullah Fares, Kenneth Semakula, Abdullah Al Ayoub, Christopher John, Hussein Ashkanani, Jassim Shamouh, Ali Abdulrasool, Saleh Al Ruwaidan, Yousef Sabah, and Badr Tariq in place of Abdulwahab Al Awadhi, Julien Angui, Jumaa Aboud, Hamad Al Harbi, Suleiman Abdul Ghafoor, Mohammed Khaled, Ali Aziz, Yousef Majed, Abdulaziz Nassari, and Anayo Iwala.

Earlier this week, Al Arabi also lost 2-1 to another UAE team, Hatta.

Today, the Al Arabi delegation is set to depart for the Maldives, where it will face Maziya Sports next Tuesday in the AFC Challenge League play-off. The Green Falcons are determined to win the match and secure advancement to the group stage.

Al Arabi’s training camp began in the UAE on July 25 under Portuguese coach Marco Alves, with Jordanian Ahmed Hayel among the technical staff. The staff has emphasized raising both the technical and physical levels of the squad, with a particular focus on the new professional signings: Ugandan Kenneth Semakula, Frenchman Hassimi Fadiga, and Belgian Julian Ngoy. The club’s management has insisted on continuing with Nigerian players Anayo Iwala and Christopher John, along with including Hamad Harbi and Aziz Nassari in the squad.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff