Al-Shatti puts the finishing touches on the Challenge Cup.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 23: The teams set to compete in the second group of the Asian Challenge Cup, hosted by Al Arabi from October 26 to early November at Kuwait Club Stadium, have all arrived.

This group features Al Arabi, Abdish Atta from Kyrgyzstan, Arkadakh from Turkmenistan, and Mazia Sports from the Maldives.

Al Arabi will kick off its campaign this Saturday against Abdish Atta, followed by a clash with Mazia Sports on October 29, before concluding the group stage with a match against Arkadakh on November 1.

Al Arabi's head coach, Nasser Al Shatti, and his technical staff are finalizing preparations to ensure the team is in top form for the tournament. The team resumed training yesterday after a brief rest following their victory over Al Yarmouk in the Zain Premier League.

Mishaal Al Abkal, the media coordinator for Al Arabi, stated that the team is eager to represent Kuwait with distinction, acknowledging that the challenge will be tough as Al Arabi faces three matches in seven days. He emphasized the crucial role of fan support in advancing to the quarter-finals and praised the club’s management for their efforts in hosting the teams and creating a supportive environment.

Meanwhile, Dragan Juganovic, the Serbian coach of Mazia Sports, expressed confidence in his team's readiness for the group matches, which he believes are the strongest among the three groups. He acknowledged Al Arabi's strength as one of Kuwait's top clubs, previously coached by notable figures from Croatia and Serbia. Juganovic also noted that with teams from Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan in the group, it is the most competitive in the Western region.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff