Yarmouk, Al-Sulaibikhat move joint top as Al-Sahel slips to third

Yarmouk players celebrate after beating Al-Shamiya in the Kuwait First Division League.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: Yarmouk and Al-Sulaibikhat climbed to the top of the Kuwait First Division League standings after the 16th round, with both teams level on 35 points, while Al-Sahel slipped to third place with 34 points.

Yarmouk recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over Al-Shamiya to extend its winning streak to two matches and continue its impressive run since the league resumed.

Al-Sulaibikhat kept pace by edging Khaitan 1-0, strengthening its bid to secure one of the two promotion places to the Premier League.

Al-Sahel, meanwhile, surrendered the top spot after being held to a goalless draw by Burgan, ending a spell in which it had led the standings for several rounds.

Elsewhere, Al-Jazeera remained firmly in the promotion race after easing to a 3-0 win over Sporty. The victory lifted its tally to 31 points in fourth place, keeping it within striking distance of the leading trio.

Yarmouk director Abdulaziz Al-Failakawi praised his players after their victory over Al-Shamiya, highlighting the team's second successive win since the restart of the league, which moved the club to the summit on 35 points.

He said Yarmouk controlled the contest from start to finish, particularly after the break, crediting the players for executing the tactical plan laid out by Portuguese coach Mota.

"The team has shown steady improvement compared to our previous two matches, and that progress was clear in this performance," Al-Failakawi said.

He attributed the team's resurgence to the growing understanding between its local and foreign players, noting that the overseas signings are adapting well and beginning to perform at a high level.

Al-Failakawi expressed hope that Yarmouk will carry the same determination, intensity, and fighting spirit into next Friday's encounter against Khaitan.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff