Round Three: High Performance and a Convincing Kazma

Kuwait officials reported that most teams improved their performance in the third round of the “Zain” Premier League football tournament, with competitiveness evident in most matches. Kazma secured a valuable 3-2 victory over Al-Shabab, while Kuwait SC overcame Al-Jahra with a 1-0 win. Al-Qadsia quickly restored confidence with a strong performance, defeating Al-Nasr 3-0. Al-Salmiya earned a hard-fought 1-0 win against Al-Sahel, while Al-Arabi continued his struggles, drawing 3-3 with Salibikhaet. Al-Fahaheel recorded his first victory, beating Al-Tadamun 4-1.

Al-Orange: He did himself justice

Kazma did himself justice by overturning the scoreline against Al-Shabab and securing the win after trailing 1-2. The team played an excellent collective game, particularly in attack, repeatedly threatening the opponent’s goal but lacking the final touch in many situations. Even after losing focus and conceding two goals, Kazma regrouped and attacked with intensity. Substitutions made by coach Dragan Tadić further improved the team’s performance and helped turn the result before the final whistle.

Al-White: Achieved what he wanted

It was clear from the start of Kuwait SC’s match against Al-Jahra that the team’s sole objective was to win and secure three points, regardless of brilliance or overall performance. This approach is understandable and accepted by the technical staff led by coach Firas Al-Khatib, who fully recognizes that the team had played two physically and technically demanding matches previously against Al-Arabi and Al-Qadsia. Consequently, it is natural for some players’ performances to dip due to the pressure of consecutive games, especially at the beginning of the season. Therefore, what the team has achieved so far is considered good.

Al-Yellow: Outstanding in every aspect

Al-Qadsia’s physical effort and level of play against Al-Nasr were outstanding. Players exerted great effort on every ball, excelling in passing and variety in attacks, whether built from the back or arising from rebound balls. This demonstrates that the team possesses solutions and is capable of competing, provided they maintain the same strength and desire, and that the presence of outstanding substitutes on the bench remains consistent. They often serve as the coach’s last resort when the starting eleven fails to secure the win.

Al-Coral: A different shape

There is a stark difference between Al-Nasr in the first two rounds and the team that faced Al-Qadsia in this round. Al-Nasr was very weak defensively, disjointed in midfield, and unable to attack effectively. All these factors contributed significantly to the team’s failure to perform at its previous level, making the 3-0 loss a natural outcome given the performance, physical effort, tactical reading, and the starting lineup deployed by coach Zahir Al-Adwani.

Al-Sky Blue: Won, but!

Al-Salmiya’s victory over Al-Sahel is very important and came at an ideal time, bringing them closer to the top of the table before the break. The team deserves credit for its high overall performance, continuous attacking throughout both halves, and variety in its attacks. However, the team was heavily criticized for wastefully missing easy chances in a surprising manner. The opportunities presented to them were repeated multiple times and squandered in the same way, nearly costing them two points.

Al-Shabab: Could not withstand

Al-Shabab played a highly tactical match against Kazma and was close to securing at least a point. However, it is evident that the team still suffers from physical deficiencies, as it failed to hold its ground properly in midfield and defense. The outcome was expected, with the team conceding two goals in the final 15 minutes, preceded by a large number of missed opportunities.

Al-Sahel..

Salmiya: No win, only survival

Salmiya did not enter the match against Al-Sahel with the aim of winning; rather, their primary objective was to avoid defeat. In short, they defended heavily, staying excessively deep in their defensive zones and holding firm for a long time. However, they ultimately conceded a goal due to a defensive error caused by the immense pressure they were under. When they tried to equalize, their players were unable to do so due to severe fatigue, and they nearly conceded more goals.

Fahaheel: Timely victory

Fahaheel’s victory over Al-Tadamun came at an ideal time. The club had been in a state of uncertainty following the departure of coach Firas Al-Khatib and the appointment of Slovak coach Martin Seveila. Therefore, regardless of the current level of performance and tactical analysis, the win is crucial before the break. This will allow the team to reorganize and correct issues as needed, particularly in restoring the level of play they demonstrated in previous seasons.

Al-Jahra: The plan failed

Al-Jahra and their coach, Ahmed Abdul-Karim, wanted to replicate the scenario of Al-Arabi’s match against Kuwait in the previous round. However, the plan did not work, as Kuwait’s defense and player positioning differ significantly from that of Al-Akhdar. Despite this, the “Sons of the Red Palace” (Al-Jahra) were close to snatching a draw in the second half, showing resilience under pressure and the ability to regain possession and clear the ball, especially in the second half. If they continue on this path, they will earn new points regardless of their opponent.

Al-Akhdar: The decline is not a blip

The match against Al-Arabi proved that Al-Akhdar’s recent poor results in all four official matches played so far (one in the AFC Champions League Two playoffs and three in the Premier League) are not just a temporary setback. Rather, they are the result of inadequate preparation and a coach unable to elevate the team, as well as the selection of some foreign players who are below the standard of local players, particularly in defense. The upcoming 40-day break and the end of the player registration window on the 20th may offer an opportunity to reorganize and salvage what can be saved to return strongly to the title race.

Al-Salmiya: Struggled and drew

It is natural that the draw achieved by Al-Salmiya against Al-Arabi looked tactically impressive before the match. In reality, however, it was disappointing when the final whistle blew, as the team was very close to securing all three points until the 90+9th minute. Despite the team’s brilliance and determination throughout the match, they must learn from this game that a match is not over until the final whistle is blown, as there were opponents preparing to celebrate prematurely.

Al-Tadamun: Difficult situation

Al-Tadamun requires a complete overhaul in the coming days at all levels, including the technical staff, some local players, and foreign players. The team suffers from confusion and poor concentration across all lines, which is unacceptable for a club aiming to remain in the Premier League next season. Even in their loss to Fahaheel, the team was constantly playing on the counter-attack, waiting to concede a goal before attempting to attack the opponent.