A file photo of players fighting for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 14: The national team players will return to their clubs tomorrow following participation in the international training camp. The squad had been away on an overseas camp since late September, during which they played two friendly matches. The delegation arrives back today.

A total of 26 players will rejoin their clubs ahead of the resumption of the Zain Premier League, with Round 5 kicking off on Friday.

The round opens with a single fixture between Al-Jahra and Al-Tadamon. On Saturday, Al-Fahaheel will face Al-Nasr, while Al-Qadsia takes on Kazma. The round concludes on Sunday with two matches: Al-Shabab vs. Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi vs. Al-Salmiya.

Kuwait Club tops the league table with 10 points, just one ahead of second-placed Al-Salmiya. Al-Arabi sits third with 8 points, followed by Al-Qadsia in fourth with 7 points, level on goal difference with Al-Shabab. Kazma is sixth with 6 points, Al-Tadamun is seventh with 4 points, Al-Fahaheel has 3 points, Al-Jahra has 1 point, and Al-Nasr remains at the bottom without any points.

Kuwait Club, Al-Arabi, and Kazma remain unbeaten after the first four rounds, though Kazma has drawn three times. Al-Salmiya and Al-Qadsia have each suffered a single defeat, while Al-Nasr has lost all four of its matches.

This round is expected to be crucial. League leader Kuwait Club faces fifth-placed Al-Shabab, who recently defeated Al-Fahaheel. A win for Al-Shabab could see it draw level with Kuwait Club on points.

The round also features two key matchups: Al-Salmiya vs. Al-Arabi (second vs. third) in a highly competitive clash, and fourth-placed Kazma against third-placed Al-Qadsia at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in Hawalli, a match difficult to predict due to both teams’ inconsistent form in recent weeks.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff