Winning start for Qadsia as Kuwait Club and Al Arabi share spoils

Qadsia's Al-Mushaifri vies for the ball with Al-Fahaheel player during the Zain Premier League match.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 26: Al-Qadsia made a winning start to its Zain Premier League campaign after coming from behind to beat Al-Fahaheel 2-1 at Nayef Al-Dabbous Stadium.

The victory also marked a promising debut for Al-Qadsia’s new foreign recruits, with Omani Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri and Nigerian Gabriel Orok both finding the net.

The opening round began with an entertaining clash between defending champion Kuwait Club and runner-up Al-Arabi, with the two sides sharing six goals in a 3-3 draw at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium.

The first round concludes today with two fixtures. Al-Sahel takes on Al-Sulaibikhat at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium at 6:45 pm, while Kazma hosts Al-Tadamon at Al-Sadaqa Walsalam Stadium at 9 pm.

The meeting between Al-Sahel and Al-Sulaibikhat is particularly significant, with both clubs having secured promotion after finishing first and second, respectively, in the First Division last season.

The teams met less than two weeks ago in the First Division, playing out a goalless draw. Al-Sahel, coached by national manager Ali Abdulredha, will be seeking revenge for losing the First Division title to Al-Sulaibikhat on the final matchday while also targeting its first Premier League victory.

Al-Sahel has strengthened its squad with five Brazilian professionals: Mauricio Oliveira, Alan de Souza, Lucas Araujo, Clayton de Jesus, and Joao Moura.

Al-Sulaibikhat, meanwhile, will look to continue its momentum under Portuguese coach Antonio Miranda, who has overseen a period of technical stability. Their foreign players include Brazilians Walfes Santos, Daniel Silva, Elson Pepe and Bruno Dominguez, as well as Portuguese player Cristian Erbizu.

Kazma will then face Al-Tadamon in the evening fixture, with the Orange looking to launch their campaign strongly under Croatian coach Dragan Tadic.

Kazma finished fourth last season and has reshaped its foreign contingent in an effort to improve on that performance. The club signed German Torles Knoll, Brazilian Patrick Robson, and Senegalese Amath Ndiaye, while retaining Yemen international Nasser Mohammedou and Algerian Idriss Chaabi.

Al-Tadamon, who finished eighth last season, will be determined to begin the new campaign on a positive note and put last season’s disappointing results behind them.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff