publish time

19/02/2024

author name Arab Times

publish time

19/02/2024

Kazma player controls the ball as a coach watches during the Zain Premier League game.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: The sixteenth round of the Zain Premier League was marked by a sense of "caution," likely influenced by Al-Jahra's impressive 5-0 victory over Al-Shabab in the first match of the round, serving as a significant "lesson." This win marked the first victory for "Sons of the Red Palace," adding an element of unpredictability to the competition. As a result, the other three matches witnessed a cautious and less adventurous approach, with Al-Fahaheel drawing with its Kuwait Club (1-1), Khaitan drawing with Al-Salmiya (0-0), and Kazma also securing a draw with Al-Qadisiya with the same scoreline. The exception to this trend was Al-Arabi's remarkable 6-3 victory over Al-Nasr.

As the league enters its final two rounds before the "Adult" League, where six teams will compete for the championship title and four for survival in the Premier League, teams exercised caution in their strategies.Al-Arabi emerged as the round's winner, taking the top spot in the standings with 39 points, three points ahead of second-placed Kuwait and six points clear of third-placed Al-Qadisiyah.Despite the initial intensity in the first two matches, notably Al-Jahra's dominant win and Al-Arabi's convincing performance against Al-Nasr, the remaining three matches lacked the same level of intensity.

Kuwait Club faced challenges against Al-Fahaheel, failing to replicate the exceptional performance from the previous round against Al-Qadisiya. Al-Qadisiya struggled for the second consecutive match, and Al-Salmiya (fourth with 24 points) faced difficulties finding offensive solutions against Khaitan (ninth with 9 points).

Al-Nasr, fifth in the standings, experienced a decline with three consecutive losses, freezing their score at 21 points. Al-Fahaheel and Kazma, both with 19 points, settled for a draw, remaining in the relegation battle zone. Their upcoming match will be crucial in determining their standings.Al-Shabab, with 14 points, confirmed their entry into the relegation league, while their defeat against Al-Jahra revived the latter's hopes and could complicate the calculations in the four-legged league.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff