Thrilling draw between Al-Arabi and Kuwait, 3-3

Mubarak Al-KhalidiThe Saudi Pro League, sponsored by Zenith, kicked off its 2026-2027 season with an exciting start as rivals Al-Arabi and Al-Kuwait opened the first round of matches last night at Ali Al-Salim Stadium. The thrilling and eventful encounter ended in a 3-3 draw.

Al-Arabi’s goals were scored by Ali Khalaf (21st minute) and Zaid Qanbar (52nd and 86th minutes, the latter from a penalty). Al-Kuwait’s goals were netted by Mohammed Marhoon (30th and 40th minutes) and Ernest Zola (93rd minute).

Al-Arabi, known as the Whites, entered the match under the guidance of their Syrian coach Firas Al-Khatib, with Saud Al-Houshawi in goal. The defense featured Sami Al-Sana, Ernest Zola, Al-Mahdi Barahma, and Ali Hussein. In midfield were Rida Hani, Abdullah Al-Qarzaei, Mohammed Marhoon, and Mohammed Daham, while the attack was led by Amr Abdel Fattah and Youssef Nasser.

Al-Kuwait, the Greens, were led by Croatian coach Goran Sablic. They fielded goalkeeper Suleiman Abdulghafour, with a defense comprising Abdullah Ammar, Leonardo Sheldon, Jawhar Rasoul, and Abdulwahab Al-Awadi. The midfield included Ali Aziz, Khalid Al-Murshed, Ali Khalaf, and Youssef Majed, while the forward line featured Zaid Qanbar and Kenan Malicko.

The top-of-the-table clash lived up to its billing from the first half, which was thrilling and goal-laden, with both teams sharing possession. Al-Arabi took the lead in the 21st minute when Ali Khalaf, after a beautiful passing exchange with Ammar and Youssef Majed, received a pass from Majed, turned, and fired a powerful shot past Al-Houshawi.

Majed nearly doubled Al-Arabi’s advantage in the 26th minute with a shot that narrowly missed the right post. However, Al-Arabi suffered from defensive disorganization, which Al-Kuwait exploited to equalize in the 30th minute. Mohammed Marhoon capitalized on a powerful shot by Sami Al-Sana, redirecting it into the net.

Marhoon added a second goal for Al-Kuwait in the 40th minute, finishing off a cross from Mohammed Daham with a header. Ali Khalaf nearly restored Al-Arabi’s lead just before halftime, but his effort in the 45th minute sailed past the right post.

In the second half, Al-Arabi returned to the contest early, equalizing in the 52nd minute. Ali Aziz sent a ball behind the defense, which Zaid Qanbar pounced on and placed into the left side of Al-Houshawi’s net. Al-Arabi then asserted their dominance, and Al-Houshawi made a well-positioned save to deny Kenan Malicko’s header in the 64th minute. The right post also came to Al-Houshawi’s aid in the 71st minute, deflecting another shot from Kenan.

The referee, assisted by VAR, awarded Al-Arabi a penalty in the 86th minute after Sami Al-Sana fouled Kenan. Zaid Qanbar converted the spot-kick successfully. Ernest Zola then restored parity for Al-Kuwait in the 93rd minute, scoring from a rebound off goalkeeper Abdulghafour.

The match was officiated by Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho, who managed the game effectively.