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Arab Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Clubs begin early preparations for the new season
KUWAIT CITY, June 17: Clubs across the country have wasted no time in beginning preparations for the new soccer season, aiming for a stronger start and improved results compared to the previous campaign. Kuwait Club has confirmed the renewal of Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic's contract, along with his technical staff. The decision, endorsed by the club's board, came after a stellar season where Jovovic guided the team to a domestic treble—clinching the Super Cup, Zain Premier League, and Crown Prince Cup—and reached the final of the Amir's Cup against Al-Arabi. The final was scheduled for the day before yesterday but has been postponed due to regional circumstances. The new contract was signed in the presence of Club Chairman Khaled Al-Ghanim and Adel Aqla. Al-Arabi is actively reviewing coaching candidates to succeed Nasser Al-Shatti, who is close to joining Al-Salmiya as a replacement for Croatian coach Ante Miša. Though Miša is contracted through next season, Al-Salmiya is keen to part ways with him after failing to secure any titles under his leadership. Among the frontrunners for the Al-Arabi post is Bosnian coach Rosmir Sefko, who briefly coached Kazma earlier this year and had a previous stint with the Greens. On the player front, Al-Arabi has decided not to renew the contracts of Moroccan Hamza Khaba, Bahraini Kamil Lassoued, and Algerian Sofiane Bouchar. Nigerian forward Emmanuel Iwala will stay, while the future of compatriot Christopher John remains undecided. Al-Salmiya has opted to keep Tunisian striker Imad Louati and Brazilian midfielder Alex Lima for the upcoming season. The club settled with Libyan winger Al-Sanousi Al-Hadi, whose contract runs until the end of next season, and decided not to renew the contracts of Gambian Sang Pierre and Syrian defender Amr Midani. Al-Qadsiya renewed contracts with Nigerian forward Daniel Gibola and Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Berrahma for a second season. Both will join Libyan winger Mohamed Soula, who remains under contract. However, the club has parted ways with Moroccan striker Ismail Khafi and Algerian defender Hussein Dhiri. Preparations for the new season are set to ramp up upon the arrival of Tunisian coach Nabil Maaloul, expected in mid-July, to finalize pre-season plans. Moroccan forward Hamza Khaba may continue his journey in the local league, with reports suggesting Al-Qadsiya is interested in acquiring his services. Khaba had an impressive two-season run with Al-Arabi, where he emerged as the team's top scorer.
Arab Times
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Arabi exits the AFC Challenge League after a heavy defeat to Arkadag
ASHGABAT, April 16: Al-Arabi bowed out of the AFC Challenge League after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Turkmenistan's Arkadag in the second leg of the semi-finals, at the latter's home ground. Despite entering the match with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, secured through goals by Hamza Khaba and Salman Al-Awadhi, the "Greens" failed to maintain their advantage. Coach Nasser Al-Shatti fielded a lineup that included Suleiman Abdul Ghafoor in goal, a backline of Hamad Al-Qallaf, Hassan Hamdan, Sofiane Bouchar, and Jumaa Aboud, with Kamil Al-Aswad, Hussein Ashkanani, and Ali Khalaf in midfield, and Hamza Khaba, Wanayo Iwala, and Christopher John up front. Disaster struck early for Al-Arabi when defender Hassan Hamdan suffered an injury in the first minute following a rough challenge. Play was paused for five minutes before Hamdan was stretchered off, and Mohammed Khaled came on as his replacement. Arkadag capitalized on the disruption, scoring its opening goal in the 7th minute through Shenzar Turkishov, who fired a powerful shot into the bottom left corner past Abdul Ghafoor. Al-Arabi tried to respond with attacking efforts, but they struggled to break through Arkadag's organized defense. Meanwhile, the home team continued to threaten with aerial balls and crosses, keeping the pressure on until halftime. In the second half, Arkadag maintained its dominance. They doubled their lead in the 58th minute when substitute Anadiev pounced on a rebound from Turkishov's shot that hit both the post and Abdul Ghafoor before slotting it home. Seven minutes later, Bazgilich Gurbanov nearly made it 3-0, but Abdul Ghafoor produced a crucial save. Al-Shatti then brought on Youssef Majed and Salman Al-Awadhi in an attempt to turn the tide. Al-Arabi's performance improved, and they created several chances, including a clear one-on-one opportunity for Al-Awadhi in the 88th minute, but Rustam Ahaliev blocked the shot. Arkadag sealed the match just before the final whistle, when Anadiev sent in a low cross that Turkishov tapped into the net unmarked, completing his brace and confirming Al-Arabi's elimination from the tournament.
