KUWAIT CITY, May 5: In the upcoming sixth round of Zain Premier League matches, Kuwait Club, the reigning champion, seeks to widen the gap at the top of the table as it faces Al-Fahaheel at 7:00 pm at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium.
The round continues tomorrow with two compelling fixtures: Al-Nasr hosting Al-Arabi and Al-Qadisiya facing off against Al-Salmiya.
Currently leading the standings with 54 points, Kuwait Club is closely followed by Al-Arabi with 51 points, while Al-Qadisiya sits in third place with 49 points. Al-Salmiya trails with 31 points, and Al-Fahaheel and Al-Nasr bring up the rear with 27 and 24 points respectively.
Despite Kuwait Club’s dominance in previous encounters this season, winning three out of three matches against Al-Fahaheel, the upcoming match promises to be challenging, especially considering Al-Fahaheel’s resilience in forcing two draws with Kuwait Club. Coach Nabil Maaloul, acknowledges the importance of securing points to maintain its title defense, particularly with only five rounds remaining in the league.
However, Kuwait Club will miss the services of Ali Hussein due to a hand injury sustained after its last match against Al-Arabi. Nonetheless, the team remains prepared for the upcoming showdown.
On the other hand, Al-Fahaheel approaches the match without the weight of expectation, aiming to improve its position in the standings. Coach Firas Al-Khatib emphasizes the necessity of victory to secure its place in the Premier League, viewing the match as an opportunity to integrate young talents into the team.
Al-Fahaheel has had a challenging run in the Championship Group League, securing only one victory against Al-Nasr and suffering defeats against Al-Arabi, Al-Salmiya, and Al-Qadisiya. Al-Khatib attributes the team’s struggles to the demanding schedule, with matches occurring every three days, which he believes doesn’t suit most players in the league.
Hassan Musa
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff