First Round: A Distinctive Start... Attack Dictates the Terms

Abdulaziz Jasim

aziz995@

The attacking flair defined the opening round of the Zain Premier League, which saw a total of 22 goals scored, with more than three goals per match on average. After an exciting start with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Al-Arabi and Kuwait, Qadsia secured a 2-1 victory over Fehaheel. Al-Shabab completed the round’s highlights with a 3-2 win against Jahra, while Al-Nasr defeated Salima 2-1. Al-Sahel claimed a 1-0 win against Sulaybiyat, and Kazma took top spot after beating Al-Tadamun 3-1.

**Kazma: The Orange Team Shines**

Kazma was among the best teams in the opening round, demonstrating excellence in both defense and attack. From the start to the end of their match against Al-Tadamun, they were the dominant and most dangerous side. Even after conceding an equalizer late in the first half, they returned strongly in the second half, scoring two goals and missing several other chances. The team’s strong bench will undoubtedly contribute to the Orange Team remaining among the league leaders this season, just as they were last season.

**Al-Shabab: Hard-Fought Victory**

All signs pointed to an easy win for Al-Shabab against Jahra after they took a two-goal lead. However, without warning, the team’s overall performance declined, and they lost focus, conceding two goals. Nevertheless, credit goes to the coach and players for their ability to recover tactically and mentally, fighting in the final moments to score the winning goal.

**Al-Nasr: Spirit and Determination**

What distinguished Al-Nasra in their match against Salima was their spirit and determination from start to finish, along with their ability to reach the opponent’s goal in the easiest ways, allowing them to score two goals. Even after conceding a penalty, they fought hard in the final minutes to preserve the victory. They also executed six precise counter-attacks, which greatly exhausted the Sky Blue team. This marks a distinctive start for the Amber Team and provides a significant morale boost for upcoming matches.

**Al-Qadsia: Delivered the Required Performance**

Although Al-Qadsia’s performance in the opening round did not meet expectations, the team showed strength in responding after going behind by one goal, securing an important early-season victory against Fehaheel, a team that has been prominent in recent years. Additionally, referees in the first round often lack impartiality due to poor cohesion and the introduction of new elements, whether local or foreign. Therefore, we expect the Yellow Team to gradually improve under national coach Mohammed Ibrahim.

**Al-Sahel: Played It Right**

Al-Sahel exerted considerable effort in the first half of their match against Sulaybiyat, preferring to play in the midfield. Their desire to attack strongly in the second half was evident, and they succeeded, scoring the opening goal. They were the better side and closest to scoring a second. Coach Ali Abdul-Razzaq’s substitutions were instrumental in revitalizing the team.

**Al-Kuwait: Needs Defensive Focus**

The technical staff of Al-Kuwait, led by Firas Al-Khatib, cannot be blamed regardless of the result against Al-Arabi. A draw is considered acceptable given the two-day training period Al-Khatib had with the team before the match. However, he must now address the defensive line, which struggled throughout both halves, particularly due to a lack of support from the midfield. The attacking side, however, performed well, especially after returning to the match on multiple occasions.

**Al-Arabi: Persistent Errors**

Credit goes to Al-Arabi and their technical staff for entering the match as the more attacking side eager for victory. They took the lead, but when errors occurred in goalkeeping and defense, conceding two goals, the attack returned, corrected the course, and took the lead again after scoring two. However, errors resurfaced, and they conceded another goal, losing two points that were within reach. The team must quickly find a solution to its defensive issues; otherwise, continuing the campaign with a title challenge will be extremely difficult.

**Jahra: Tried, But Fate Decided Otherwise**

Jahra failed to achieve the most important objective in their match against Al-Shabab: points, whether through a draw or a win. The team was absent for most of the first half and the beginning of the second, conceding two goals. However, they showed a different performance in the second half of the second period, playing well, especially after coach Ahmed Abdul-Karim’s substitutions, allowing them to score an equalizer. They then lost focus again, conceding a third goal that sealed their first defeat.

**Al-Salima: Shaky Defense**

One of the factors contributing to Al-Salima’s loss against Al-Nasr was their shaky defense, which was easily penetrated with every attack by their opponent, who knew how to attack with quick touches. This was not the only reason for the defeat; the strikers’ inability to finish several easy chances also played a role. This indicates that coach Ali Ashour needs to organize his squad and change some players in the second round if he wants to collect points.

**Fehaheel: Inconsistent Performance**

Fehaheel’s rhythm against Al-Qadsia was not consistent in both defense and attack. They started strongly by taking the lead but lost focus significantly late in the first half, conceding two goals. When they tried to correct the course in the second half, they found themselves physically unable to launch continuous attacks. Therefore, their threat was intermittent, which was not enough to secure at least a draw against a strong opponent with distinctive players.

**Sulaybiyat: Obvious Fatigue**

Fatigue was clearly evident among Sulaybiyat players in their match against Al-Sahel. The team had won the First Division title just days earlier and had played consecutive strong matches to secure promotion, which was decided in the final moments of the last round. Therefore, the technical staff should rest some players and give others at least a chance in the next round to allow players to regain their physical fitness to compete with opponents.

**Al-Tadamun: Not Ready Yet**

It seems Al-Tadamun was not adequately prepared for the league’s opening match against Kazma. Physically, the team was not in good shape, and technically, they did not perform as required. This shows that the “Children of Farwaniya” still need more work to reach the readiness level that will earn them points. This will become clear in the next round, whether the team needs more work or if the loss was due to match-specific circumstances.