Latest news with #MoazAl-Dhafiri
Arab Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Arabi and Al-Qadsiya: A derby of different goals
KUWAIT CITY, May 1: The Zain Premier League returns tonight with two key fixtures in the third round of the championship group. Kuwait Club will take on Al-Salmiya at 5:35 pm at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium, followed by the highly anticipated derby between traditional rivals Al-Arabi and Al-Qadsiya at 7:00 pm at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. The round concludes tomorrow with a decisive clash between Al-Fahaheel and Al-Tadamon, also scheduled at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium at 7:00 pm. With the league approaching its climax, the title battle is now limited to Kuwait Club, which tops the standings with 51 points, and second-placed Al-Arabi, with 49 points. The remaining teams—Al-Qadsiya (38), Al-Salmiya (32), Al-Fahaheel (30), and Al-Tadamon (20)—are focused on improving their positions and building momentum ahead of the Amir's Cup. Tonight's derby marks the fifth meeting between Al-Arabi and Al-Qadsiya this season. Al-Arabi holds the upper hand, having won three of the previous four encounters: 2-1 and 4-2 in league play and a 1-0 victory in the Crown Prince Cup semifinals last week. Al-Qadsiya's lone win came in the Super Cup, a 1-0 result. For Al-Arabi, only a win will keep its title hopes alive as it chases leader Kuwait Club. The team enters the match with high morale after securing a spot in the Crown Prince Cup final. Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiya, with third place nearly secured, faces less pressure but is determined to restore pride and fine-tune its squad ahead of its Amir Cup opener against Burgan on May 10. Qadsiya will be without several key players, including Moaz Al-Dhafiri, Khaled Ibrahim, Abdullah Mutawa, and Ahmed Shabib. The availability of goalkeeper Khaled Al-Rashidi and forward Mohammed Soula remains uncertain. In the earlier fixture, Kuwait Club will look to continue its dominant run over Al-Salmiya, having beaten it 4-3 and 3-1 in the league and 4-1 in the Super Cup. The league leader is riding high after a dramatic 4-2 comeback win against Kazma that secured its place in the Crown Prince Cup final against Al-Arabi on May 19. With momentum on its side, Kuwait Club is focused on taking another step toward the title. Al-Salmiya, on the other hand, approaches the match with less pressure and is primarily using the fixture to gear up for its Amir Cup quarterfinal showdown with Al-Nasr on May 27.
Arab Times
26-01-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
All eyes are on Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium for Al-Qadsiya and Kuwait Club showdown
KUWAIT CITY, Jan 26: Al-Qadsiya and Kuwait Club have concluded their preparations for the highly anticipated Super Cup final, scheduled for tomorrow at 7:15 pm at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. The Kuwait Football Association recently moved the match from Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium, and a foreign refereeing team will oversee the game. Al-Qadsiya enters the match with a nearly complete squad, except Moaz Al-Dhafiri, who sustained a muscle injury during the warm-up before last Friday's derby. Al-Dhafiri is expected to be sidelined for 10 days. However, Khaled Ibrahim made a partial comeback, appearing in the final minutes of the semi-final against Al-Arabi, while Khaled Al-Rashidi has fully recovered from his previous absence and is ready for action under the guidance of Montenegrin coach Zeljko Petrovic. The team's morale has significantly improved after its victory against Al-Arabi in the semi-finals, avenging their 4-2 defeat in the Zain Premier League. Al-Qadsiya now aims to secure its first domestic title this season, compensating for its struggles in the league, where they trail by 13 points behind league leaders Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi. In the Kuwait Club camp, striker Ibrahim Kamil has been ruled out for two months after tests confirmed a hamstring tear sustained during its 4-1 victory over Al-Salmiya in the semi-finals. Kamil scored one of the team's goals in that match. Additionally, Tunisian forward Yassin Al-Khenisi has been dealing with muscle strain and was rested from training to prevent further aggravation. His participation in the final depends on the results of a medical examination scheduled for today. Despite these challenges, Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic remains confident, emphasizing the team's depth and ability to compensate for any absences. The squad has been undergoing uninterrupted training, with key players being given additional rest to avoid potential injuries. The final match's press conference will take place today at 12:30 pm in the conference hall at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, with a coach and player from both teams in attendance. Both teams are eager to clinch the Super Cup title and solidify their standing in Kuwaiti football. Stay tuned for an exciting clash as Al-Qadsiya and Kuwait Club face off for glory in one of the most anticipated matches of the season.
