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Arab Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Qadsiya suffers a narrow loss to Al-Akhdood
ISTANBUL, Aug 10: Al-Qadsiya suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia's Al-Akhdood during its training camp in Turkey as it prepares for the new season. Al-Qadsiya will play two more friendlies in the coming days — against Al-Faisaly of Saudi Arabia tomorrow and Al-Emarat of the UAE on August 19. Additionally, two more matches are being arranged before the camp concludes on August 29. Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul aimed to rotate the squad extensively in the match. The first half featured a starting lineup of Ali Jarrah, Mohammed Al-Sharifi, Khaled Ibrahim, Ahmed Al-Yahya, Rashid Al-Dosari, Al-Mahdi Berhama, Jassim Al-Matar, Abdulrahman Al-Dhafiri, Eid Al-Rashidi, Mohammed Soula, and Ismail Khafi. In the second half, Maaloul made several substitutions, bringing on Abdulaziz Abdeen, Moaz Al-Dhafiri, Khaled Sabah, Sufyan Bouchar, Faisal Al-Shatti, Abdullah Mutawa, Talal Al-Fadel, Adhbi Shehab, Bader Al-Mutawa, Ahmed Boudi, and Abdullah Al-Awadhi. Mohammed Al-Omran later replaced Mutawa. The match featured several young players, including Al-Omran, Boudi, Al-Awadhi, Al-Sharifi, and newcomer Al-Yahya. Goalkeeper Abdeen stood out with multiple key saves, preventing several dangerous attempts. The game was intense and physical, leading to multiple stoppages by the UAE referees due to on-field altercations between the teams. From a physical and tactical perspective, Al-Qadsiya benefited from the test against a well-prepared Al-Akhdood side, which ended its own training camp with this fixture. The first half finished 0-0, but Al-Akhdoud scored midway through the second half. In the final moments, Bader Al-Mutawa missed a penalty kick that could have equalized. Coach Maaloul used the match to evaluate player readiness and try out tactical ideas from recent training sessions, planning to give more players opportunities in the upcoming games. Meanwhile, Al-Arabi will hold its final training session this evening in Male, Maldives, ahead of tomorrow's AFC Challenge League play-off match against Maziya Sports. The Green Falcons arrived in the Maldives last Friday after concluding a training camp in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where they played three friendlies — all losses against Al Wahda (0-2), Bani Yas (0-1), and Hatta (1-2).
Observer
a day ago
- Sport
- Observer
Seeb gear up for Goa clash to secure spot in AFC CL
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman's representative, Seeb Club, are primed for a crucial showdown against India's Sporting Clube de Goa on Wednesday as they eye to secure a place in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Group Stage. The match will be staged at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa at 6:00 pm (Oman time). Under the technical leadership of experienced Romanian coach Valeriu Tița, Seeb are targeting to become the first Omani club to reach the group stage of the newly formatted tournament. The team arrived in Goa on Saturday to acclimatise to the local conditions and will hold several training sessions to fine tune both technical and tactical plans ahead of the encounter. Seeb's continental historic milestone was firmly established in 2022, when they famously lifted the AFC Cup, etching one of the greatest moments in Oman's sporting history. The club, who clinched their fourth league title in the 2024/25 season, are now chasing up to add another chapter to their international success story. Seeb now chasing up to add another chapter to their international success story The road to Goa has been marked by a busy pre-season for Seeb as Muscat based team played the Super Cup against Al Shabab, losing narrowly 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw. In the four-team friendly tournament in Salalah, Seeb edged past Al Nasr 2-1 before a tight 1-0 defeat to Oman's Olympic team. A further friendly saw them defeat Dhofar 3-1, after which the squad returned to Seeb to continue preparations at their home base. Earlier last month, Seeb have made a number of notable signings and renewals. Senegalese forward Abdulaziz Sesse joined Seeb squad while Marwan Tuaib al Siyabi returned to the club after a season with Al Nasr. Oman national team midfielder Abdullah Fawaz has signed a one-year deal, and striker Musab al Shaqsi arrived from Bahla Club. The club has also renewed contracts with seasoned stars including Mohammed al Musallami, Ali al Busaidy, Tamim al Balushi, Ahmed al Rawahi, Zaher al Aghbari, and Mutasim al Wahaibi ensuring a blend of fresh talent and experienced leadership. The winner of the match will progress to the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two The winner of the match between Seeb and Goa will progress to the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two, while the losing side will drop into the AFC Challenge League. Seeb's ambitions are clear as they aim to build on last season's quarterfinal finish in the AFC Challenge League where they bowed out to Kuwait's Al Arabi SC, and make a resounding statement in Asia once again.
Arab Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Fadiga faces uncertain future at Al-Arabi following poor form
ABU DHABI, Aug 9: French professional Hasimi Fadiga may soon leave Al-Arabi, as the technical staff—led by Portuguese coach Marco Alves and his Jordanian assistant Ahmed Hayel—are reportedly unconvinced by his performances during the team's training camp in Abu Dhabi, which concluded the day before yesterday. Sources reveal that Fadiga's form was underwhelming, prompting the club management to initiate talks with former Al-Arabi player, Bahraini Kamil Al-Aswad, about a possible return to the Green Falcons. However, Al-Aswad is reportedly close to signing with a club in the Iraqi league. Fadiga is one of three foreign signings for Al-Arabi this season, alongside Ugandan Kenneth Semakula and Belgian Julian Ngoy. Al-Arabi striker Ali Khalaf will miss the AFC Challenge League play-off match against Maldives' Maziya Sports Club, scheduled for the day after tomorrow, due to a muscle injury. Khalaf did not travel with the team to Abu Dhabi and is expected to be sidelined for approximately 10 days. Following the Abu Dhabi camp, the Green Falcons resumed training in the Maldives. During the camp, Al-Arabi played three friendly matches against UAE clubs, suffering defeats in all: 2-0 to Al Wahda, 1-0 to Baniyas, and 2-1 to Hatta. Coach Marco Alves emphasized his strategy of rotating players throughout these friendlies to assess the entire squad's readiness ahead of the crucial match against Maziya. Describing the Abu Dhabi camp as 'very good,' Marco Alves noted it provided an ideal opportunity to get to know the players better and evaluate their technical skills and commitment. He said, 'The players have absorbed and understood the coaching staff's ideas, which will be beneficial moving forward.' Alves highlighted the value of facing strong teams with many foreign players during the friendlies, stressing that this experience would help the team in future competitions. Looking ahead to the upcoming AFC Challenge League match, he expressed confidence: 'Our game against Maziya is Al-Arabi's first official test. We are ready and determined to win and advance in the tournament.'
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Second setback for Al Arabi before crucial AFC clash as Al-Qadsiya begins friendly matches
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 7: Al-Qadsiya will kick off its series of friendly games tomorrow evening against Saudi Arabia's Al-Akhdoud as part of its training camp in Turkey to prepare for the upcoming season. The Yellows are also scheduled to play two additional friendlies against Saudi Arabia's Al-Faisaly and UAE's Al-Emarat on August 12 and 19, respectively. Two more matches are currently being arranged before the camp concludes on August 29. Al-Qadsiya is preparing for the new season's opener against Al-Nasr in the first round of the Zain Premier League, set to begin on September 12. Under the guidance of Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul, Al-Qadsiya continues rigorous training sessions. The technical and administrative staff hold daily meetings with players to review recent shortcomings and work on improvements. The team focuses not only on technical and physical preparation but also on motivating players and strengthening their psychological readiness. Al Arabi faced its second friendly loss after falling 1-0 to UAE side Bani Yas during its training camp in Abu Dhabi. Portuguese coach Marco Alves aimed to give as many players as possible game time. He made several substitutions, introducing Abdullah Fares, Kenneth Semakula, Abdullah Al Ayoub, Christopher John, Hussein Ashkanani, Jassim Shamouh, Ali Abdulrasool, Saleh Al Ruwaidan, Yousef Sabah, and Badr Tariq in place of Abdulwahab Al Awadhi, Julien Angui, Jumaa Aboud, Hamad Al Harbi, Suleiman Abdul Ghafoor, Mohammed Khaled, Ali Aziz, Yousef Majed, Abdulaziz Nassari, and Anayo Iwala. Earlier this week, Al Arabi also lost 2-1 to another UAE team, Hatta. Today, the Al Arabi delegation is set to depart for the Maldives, where it will face Maziya Sports next Tuesday in the AFC Challenge League play-off. The Green Falcons are determined to win the match and secure advancement to the group stage. Al Arabi's training camp began in the UAE on July 25 under Portuguese coach Marco Alves, with Jordanian Ahmed Hayel among the technical staff. The staff has emphasized raising both the technical and physical levels of the squad, with a particular focus on the new professional signings: Ugandan Kenneth Semakula, Frenchman Hassimi Fadiga, and Belgian Julian Ngoy. The club's management has insisted on continuing with Nigerian players Anayo Iwala and Christopher John, along with including Hamad Harbi and Aziz Nassari in the squad.
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait U-23 wraps up preparations for Asian Cup qualifiers
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: Kuwait's Olympic national football team continues its preparations for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers with a final friendly against Fahaheel, scheduled for 7:30 pm. Fahaheel is also building toward the start of the Zain Premier League on September 12, where it will open against Al-Jahra. The Olympic team recently earned a 3–1 win over Kazma in a previous warm-up match. After tonight's game, the team will travel next week to Thailand for a training camp ahead of the Asian Cup qualifiers, which will take place in Saudi Arabia in January. Kuwait has been drawn into Group B alongside Japan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. The group stage matches will be hosted in Myanmar from September 1 to 9. Arabi Club will conclude its training camp in Abu Dhabi today with a final friendly match against UAE club Al-Wahda at 6:30 pm. Arabi will head to the Maldives tomorrow to prepare for a crucial AFC Challenge League playoff against Maziya S&RC, set for August 12 on Maldivian soil. Head coach Marco Alves is expected to field his strongest lineup against Al-Wahda, aiming to test the starting eleven he intends to use against Maziya. The Portuguese coach had used the first two friendlies to assess his full squad and finalize team selections. Tadamon Club has finalized its list of foreign signings by adding Congolese forward Folabi to its roster. He joins French players Jonathan Bamba and Zakaria Slimani, Portuguese midfielder Pedro, and Syrian attacker Ahmad Al-Dali. With the club's home ground currently under maintenance, Tadamon has relocated its training sessions to the secondary pitch at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Preseason preparations began last Saturday under Portuguese head coach Miguel Leal, as the team looks ahead to its season opener against Kuwait SC on September 12. Tadamon also boosted its local squad with new signings, including Abdulmohsen Al-Ajmi, Salman Al-Ajmi, Turki Al-Mutairi, and Ali Fadel.
