Al-Yousef: Kuwait to host two important events this season

Al-Khatib: Who would hesitate to take charge of “Al-Abyad”?... Sablic blames “mistakes”

Kuwait Football Association President Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef confirmed that Kuwait is close to hosting two major events in December and February next year, adding that details of these events will be revealed in the coming days.

He stated, “These two events are bigger than the French Super Cup that Kuwait hosted last January.”

He noted that the opening match of the Premier League witnessed strong fan attendance and an exciting, competitive game between Kuwait and Al-Arabi, despite the high temperatures.

Al-Yousef revealed that the First Division will kick off after the Blue Team concludes its campaign in “Gulf Cup 27,” clarifying that the Police Club will participate in the tournament, with negotiations underway with several other clubs to join the competition.

Al-Yousef added that the Blue Team will hold a training camp in the Qatari capital, Doha, after the third round of the league, and noted that the national team will play a friendly match in the Saudi city of Jeddah before starting its Gulf Cup 27 campaign.

For his part, Al-Arabi’s Croatian coach Goran Sablic admitted that mistakes are inevitable, describing them as “natural, especially in the first match of the tournament.”

Speaking after his team drew 3-3 with Kuwait, Sablic said Al-Arabi’s draw was due to certain mistakes, praising his team’s fierce attacking play, which was undone by an error that led to the equalizing goal in the final minutes of the match.

He thanked Al-Arabi fans for supporting the team and backing the players in yesterday’s match, and affirmed that the team would face Al-Jahra next Sunday in the second round of the tournament at the same level and with the same determination to secure a victory.

For his part, Al-Abyad’s Syrian coach Fares Al-Khatib said that accepting the leadership of a team like Kuwait, which has dominated the league titles over the past decade, just days before the season starts, is “an honor no one can refuse.”

He believed that “the team needs to exert more effort in the coming period,” emphasizing that Kuwait can compete for the AFC Champions League Two title, especially since Al-Abyad’s current squad has won the treble and quadruple in recent years.