KUWAIT CITY, May 28:  handball enthusiasts will turn their attention to the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Complex in the suburb of Sabah Al-Salem for the highly anticipated summit match. Defending champions Al-Kuwait, currently leading the league standings with 32 points, will face off against Al-Qadisiya, last season's runner-up and the second-ranked team in the Premier League. The match is scheduled for 7:30 pm and is part of the fifth and final round of the first leg.

Before the main event, Al-Arabi, ranked fifth with 22 points, will play against Al-Salmiya, who is fourth with 23 points, at 4:30 pm. At 6:00 pm, Kazma, in third place with 25 points, will compete against Burgan, who is sixth with 18 points.

In the third round of the First Division League, Al-Sahel avenged its earlier defeat to Al-Tadamon by winning 31-25. Meanwhile, Al-Sulaibikhat narrowly edged out Khaitan, 35-34.

Both Al-Arabi and Al-Salmiya need victories today to improve their standings before the second leg begins. The match against Kazma is crucial as a win, combined with an Al-Qadisiya loss to Kuwait Club, could propel it to second place, tied with Al-Qadisiya but ahead on goal difference. Burgan, currently at the bottom of the standings, has little pressure as it's out of contention.

The highlight of the day is the clash between Kuwait Club and Al-Qadisiya. Kuwait Club aims to extend its lead and move closer to securing the title. A win today would bring it to 34 points, 7 points ahead of the second-place team. Al-Qadisiya, coached by Croatian Slavko Klose, hopes to replicate its previous victory over Kuwait Club and close the gap.

Sameh Al-Hajri, manager of Kuwait Club emphasized the importance of today's match, highlighting goals of avenging their defeat to Al-Qadisiya and widening the point’s gap with the second-place team, thus moving closer to the league title.

Kuwait Club will miss Saleh Al-Moussawi due to a torn posterior muscle, and orange player Angel Hernandez due to a knee injury. Additionally, Yaqoub Asiri, Fawaz Abdul-Hadi, Abdulaziz Sultan, Abdullah Al-Gharabally, and goalkeeper Hassan Safar are also out.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff