Darko Leads Al Arabi to First Victory

Bosnian coach Darko Nestorovic led Al-Arabi to their first win of the current season, defeating visitors Al-Fahaheel 2-0 on Wednesday in the sixth round of the Zain Premier League.

Al-Arabi’s management had signed Darko, who has previously managed the club on several occasions, as the successor to Mohammed Abdulnabi, who took charge briefly after the dismissal of Croatian coach Zeljko Dalic.

Al-Arabi struck early, scoring two goals within the first eight minutes. Youssef Majed opened the scoring in the fifth minute, finishing from close range after receiving a pass from Palestinian player Zaid Qanbar in front of the goal, sending the ball into the far corner of goalkeeper Ali Fadel’s net.

The second goal came just three minutes later, following a run by right-back Abdulaziz Nasari, whose cross was headed in by Ethiopian player Kenyan Markini, leaving the Al-Fahaheel goalkeeper unable to clear it (8th minute).

Al-Arabi’s performance declined after the two goals, while Al-Fahaheel, missing their Brazilian star Vitor, attempted to get back into the match relying on the movements of Syrian player Hammam Subhi, Brazilian player Fortis, and South African player Ranga Shivavero.

At the start of the second half, Al-Fahaheel’s performance improved alongside the introduction of substitute Salman Al-Bous. Fortis attempted a volley, but Al-Arabi’s goalkeeper Ahmed Adawi was alert and cleared the ball for a corner.

With Al-Arabi’s form dipping and relying on counterattacks to exploit spaces behind Al-Fahaheel’s defenders, Qanbar had two chances. The first was saved by Al-Fahaheel defender Mohammed Naim, while in the second, he failed to control a ball in front of the goal, allowing Fadel to clear it.