KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Al-Arabi and Al-Qadisiya have kickstarted their preparations ahead of next Saturday and Sunday's eagerly anticipated derby match. Both teams wasted no time and resumed training early yesterday to ensure they're in prime condition for the Kuwaiti football "Classico." The intensity of this rivalry is heightened as both teams vie for the Zain League title, captivating the attention of their passionate fan bases.

The stakes are high, with "Green" trailing just one point behind "Yellow," who currently holds third place in the league standings. Kuwait Club sits at the top with 47 points, while Salmiya follows in fourth place with 25 points, and Al-Fahaheel and Al-Nasr share fifth and sixth positions with 24 points each.

Previous encounters between the two teams resulted in draws, with scores tied at (1-1) and (2-2) in their league matches.

Al-Arabi faces setbacks with the absence of Bandar Al-Salama due to a collarbone injury sustained against Al-Nasr Club, requiring treatment in Doha until mid-April. Issa Walid will also be unavailable due to a red card received in the last match against Salmiya. Efforts are underway by Al-Arabi's medical staff and fitness coaches to prepare Suleiman Abdul-Ghafour, Sultan Al-Anazi, Saif Al-Hashan, and Anayo Iwala to bolster the team for the upcoming clash.

Mishal Al-Abakal, Al-Arabi’s media coordinator, shared updates on the club’s social media platform, indicating that Abdul Ghafour, Sultan, Aywala, and Al-Hashan are in the qualification stage, aiming for a return to the team.

Meanwhile, Al-Qadisiya's Abdulaziz Wadi's participation remains uncertain as he undergoes examinations following a knee injury sustained in the previous match against Al-Fahaheel. He requires two days of rest before further assessment.

In other news, Mubarak Al-Fanini, Youssef Al-Haqqan, Mishaal Khaled, and Abdullah Al-Enezi are undergoing rehabilitation training for their respective injuries, and hoping to join group sessions soon.

By Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff