Thrilling Draw for Kuwait and Al-Arabi in «Al-Mumtaz» Opening

Al-Arabi and Kuwait drew 3-3 in the opening match of the Zain Premier League yesterday, with each team adding a point to their tally.

Kuwait ended the first half in their favor with two goals to one. Al-Arabi took the lead through Ali Khalaf in the 21st minute, but a serious error by Al-Arabi’s goalkeeper, Suleiman Abdulghafour, who failed to clear the ball, allowed Mohammed Al-Murhan to score in the 30th minute. Al-Murhan then added his second personal goal with a well-executed header in the 41st minute.

A mistake by Kuwait defender Zola allowed Zaid Qanbar to equalize in the 52nd minute.

Al-Arabi dominated and wasted several chances until the 81st minute, when Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho awarded a penalty to Al-Arabi after a review using Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology confirmed a foul by Sami Al-Sanea against Kian. Zaid Qanbar successfully converted the penalty to make it 3-2.

Abdulghafour continued his mistakes, conceding a goal in the second minute of stoppage time as Zola capitalized on the error to score Kuwait’s third, ending the match in a 3-3 draw.

Meanwhile, this round of matches continues today, Wednesday, with two fixtures: Al-Shabab faces Al-Jahra at 6:45 PM at Al-Shabab Stadium, while Al-Salmiya plays Al-Nassr at 9:00 PM at Thamer Stadium.

Fate decreed that the participants in the opening match would remain in the Premier League despite their relegation last season, following the Kuwait Football Association’s decision to cancel relegation.

Both teams aim for a strong start to rectify last season’s mistakes. Al-Shabab seeks to secure the three points; they performed excellently in the first half of last season, earning the title of “dark horse,” but finished poorly after the league resumed following a suspension due to regional circumstances.

Al-Shabab prepared under the guidance of their Brazilian coach Wagner, who succeeded Montenegrin coach Slavko. They held a training camp in Cairo, where they played four strong matches against Egyptian clubs. The team also bolstered its squad with five foreign signings: Brazilians Marcus, Giovani, Michel Angelo, Matthew, and Marcelo (the latter’s contract was terminated), and Ivorian Victor, formerly of Al-Sahel.

On the other hand, Al-Jahra aims for victory, supported by the fighting spirit of its players and well-prepared by coach Ahmed Abdul-Karim, whose position was confirmed. He took charge in the middle of last season under very difficult circumstances.

Al-Jahra prepared for the league with training at their home ground and played several friendly matches, including two against Al-Nassr and one against Al-Salmiya. They strengthened their squad by signing Cameroons Tackmawa and Flana, Ghanaian Empofo, and Brazilians Ramos and Rorima.

Al-Salmiya prepared for the league through a camp in Turkey, which included four trial matches under the leadership of Bahraini coach Ali Ashour. The team retained only Syrian foreign player Mahmoud Al-Aswad, while signing Congolese Trezor, Bahraini Abdullah Yusuf, Uzbek Shahzod, and Gabonese Sampisa.

For his part, Al-Nassr enters the match with high enthusiasm and a desire to win, especially after the team displayed poor performance and negative results last season, narrowly avoiding relegation. Coach Zahir Al-Adwani returned to lead Al-Nassr after it was decided not to renew the contract of Tunisian coach Jamil Al-Qasim.

Al-Adwani prepared the team in a Cairo camp, where they played three trial matches against Egyptian clubs. The team signed Sudanese Abdulrahman Koko, Malian Moriba, Mauritanian Sidi Yacoub, Algerian Ayman Lkcag, and Tunisian Hazem Al-Hajj.