Al Arabi faces East Bengal to secure AFC Champions League Two qualification
Al-Arabi’s first football team carries the hopes of Kuwaiti fans for securing a spot in the AFC Champions League Two, the continent’s second-tier club competition. Al-Arabi will face East Bengal in a decisive playoff match for a place in the group stage, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. local time. This comes after Al-Kuwait Club had already secured direct qualification to the tournament earlier, following their victory in the previous edition of the AFC Challenge League. With Kuwaiti football now firmly represented in the AFC Champions League Two, only half a quota remains, which Al-Arabi will contest against the Indian side. Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiah will compete in the AFC Challenge League, marking the third participation of local clubs in Asian competitions for the new season.
Good Preparation and Readiness
The Green Team prepared well for their first official match of the season, beginning internal training sessions at the club’s stadium about a month ago under the guidance of new Croatian head coach Goran Sablic and his staff, who took over from national team coach Nasser Al-Shatti. The team then traveled to Izmit, Turkey, for a three-week training camp, where they played four friendly matches: a 3-1 loss to Erzurumspor, a 1-1 draw with Vanspor, a 4-0 win over Amadspor, and a 3-1 defeat against Egyptian side Pyramids FC. These friendly matches proved tactically beneficial and served as excellent tests for players’ physical readiness and gradual load management ahead of today’s crucial encounter.
Four Days in India
The Green Team arrived in India last Saturday from Turkey, resuming daily training sessions there. The coaching staff implemented a physical planning strategy to prevent players from suffering pressure-related injuries or fatigue during the pre-match period, ensuring they were technically prepared for the clash. The team held its main training session for the match yesterday under coach Sablic, who is expected to announce the starting lineup for the game.
Professional Players Confirmed
Sablic has finalized the list of professional players for today’s match, including Palestinian midfielder Zaid Qanbar, Nigerian forward Iyowa, Senegalese defender Jauhar Khadem Rasoul, Brazilian forward Sheldon, and Ethiopian midfielder Kenan Maliko. Brazilian defender Lucas Chaloun was excluded from the squad prior to the match.
Strong Local Elements
Al-Arabi boasts several outstanding local players, led by international goalkeeper Suleiman Abdulghafour, alongside Abdulwahab Al-Awadi, Khaled Al-Murshed, Youssef Majed, Bandar Al-Salman, Ali Khalaf, Abdullah Ammar, Bader Tariq, and Mohammed Khalaf, along with other key players capable of making a difference.
Challenges for the Indian Side
On the other hand, East Bengal’s Spanish coach, Antonio Luis Haba, may have faced some difficulties in recent preparations for the match against Al-Arabi. Two of the team’s professionals, Spanish player Nacho Monsalve and Nigerian player Nisongusi Avyong, remain uncertain due to an injury to the former and incomplete entry procedures for the latter. This leaves the coach and his staff with limited options, relying on the presence of three professionals: Palestinian Mohammed Rashid, Spanish player Dani Ramirez, and Australian winger Chris Economides, alongside local players. Additionally, the Indian side faces this match just days before the start of their domestic league season.
Sablic: Ready to Secure Qualification
Croatian coach Dragan Sablic expressed confidence in his players ahead of today’s match. He emphasized that despite the strength of the opposing team, which features many talented players, Al-Arabi’s squad is ready to fight and compete to secure their ticket to the AFC Champions League Two. The coach noted that his team has been well-prepared since the beginning of their training camp and highlighted the value of strong performances during their Turkey camp. He added that he has analyzed the opponent’s performance, identifying both strengths and weaknesses to prepare for the encounter.
Iyowa: We Can Handle the Crowd Pressure
Nigerian professional Iyowa affirmed that he and his teammates are capable of handling the expected crowd pressure from the opposing team, which will play at home in front of its supporters. He stated that Al-Arabi’s players possess sufficient experience to manage such situations, stressing that everyone’s focus is on delivering the required performance and adhering to the technical staff’s instructions to secure qualification for the AFC Champions League Two.
