Kazma Seizes Top Spot in Zain Premier League

Abdulaziz Jasim

Kazma topped the Zain Premier League table after defeating Al-Shabab 3-2 in their match on Sunday at Al-Shabab Stadium, concluding the third round. With the victory, the Orange side moved to seven points to claim first place, while Al-Ahmadi’s “sons” remained on three points.

Kazma nearly opened the scoring early when Meshal Al-Shamari delivered a cross that Shabib Al-Khalidi headed over the bar (5th minute). The Orange side continued to press Al-Sahel’s goal to take the lead, and they finally did so from a cross by Abdullah Al-Fahad that found Shabib, who slotted it into the net (25th minute). Al-Shabab responded with an equalizer scored in spectacular fashion by their Brazilian player Matheus Toto, who struck the ball from outside the box, taking advantage of goalkeeper Faisal Al-Subaie’s advance (34th minute).

Al-Shabab came out strongly after the restart and quickly took a 2-1 lead when a cross from Saad Al-Athab found Michel Angelo, who curled a brilliant effort past Al-Subaie (49th minute). Kazma almost equalized quickly, but Torlies Knohl’s header struck the crossbar (51st minute). The Orange side struggled to find an equalizer and missed several clear chances until Shabib Al-Khalimi won a penalty, which German striker Torlies Knohl confidently converted to level the score (78th minute). Substitute Nasser Mohammed then restored Kazma’s lead, finishing off a cross from Patrick Robson (86th minute).

International referee Ahmed Al-Ali officiated the match well, with no significant errors affecting the game.