Kuwait SC loses to Al-Ettifaq in the Gulf Champions League
Kuwait SC lost to Saudi Al-Ettifaq 2-0, while Ajman topped the group on goal difference.
Translated by Qiyas from الأنباء — Original source
Abdulaziz Jasem
Kazma lost their opening match to Saudi side Al-Ahli 2-0 in today’s encounter at Al-Ahli Stadium, as part of Group C of the Gulf Club Champions League. With the defeat, the Orange side remain without points, while the winners move to the top of the group with three points, ahead of UAE’s Ajman on goal difference after Ajman’s 5-4 victory over Iraqi club Erbil.
Kazma approached the match cautiously, playing deep in their own half and relying heavily on counter-attacks, while Al-Ahli opted for high pressing. Al-Ahli’s first dangerous attack came in the eighth minute when Yasser Al-Shamari fired a powerful shot from inside the penalty area, which was saved by Hussein Kenkoni. The Orange side nearly took the lead in the 20th minute when Patrick Robson curled a deceptive shot from outside the box past goalkeeper Turki Al-Balushi, but it struck the ground and went over the crossbar. Al-Ahli responded with a well-taken free-kick by Ondrej Duda in the 27th minute to take the lead. Just before halftime, in the 45+3rd minute, Ahmed Al-Zanqy missed a chance to equalize for Kazma after breaking through on goal, but his shot went close to the post.
In the second half, Al-Ahli sought to extend their lead and missed several chances, the most notable being a shot by Duda against Kenkoni inside the box, which he fired powerfully over the bar in the 59th minute, and a strike by Khaled Al-Ghanam that Kenkoni saved with difficulty in the 64th minute. Kazma’s manager, Dragan Tadich, attempted to boost the team’s attacking threat by introducing Shabib Al-Khalidi and Meshal Al-Shamari. The performance improved somewhat, but the side lacked the final touch, particularly in crossing the ball.
In the 81st minute, Kazma’s defender Idris Sha’bi was sent off for a heavy challenge on an Al-Ahli player. Al-Ahli capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Jordan Larsen scoring the second goal in the 91st minute. The match was refereed by Emirati official Mohammed Al-Harmoodi, who managed the game well.
