Ali Khalaf celebrates his goal against Arkadag.

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 2: Al Arabi has scheduled its quarter-final clash with Oman’s Al Seeb in the West Asia region of the Asian Challenge League. The teams will compete in two legs, with the first on March 5 and the second on March 12. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan's Arkadag will face India's East Bengal.

Al Arabi secured its spot by finishing second in its group, following a 3-2 victory over Arkadag at Kuwait Club Stadium in the final match of Group Two. Arkadag topped the group based on goal difference.

With all three teams—Al Arabi, Arkadag, and Kyrgyzstan’s Abdish Atta—tied at 6 points, the tiebreaker went to goal difference in direct encounters. Arkadag led with a goal difference of 4-4, followed by Al Arabi at 3-3, while Abdish Atta was eliminated with a goal difference of 1-2.

In its decisive game against Arkadag, Al Arabi aimed for an emphatic win, avoiding missed chances as in their previous match against Maldives' Maziya Sports. They struck first through Ali Khalaf in the 40th minute.

The Greens maintained their dominance in the second half, with Jumaa Aboud scoring in the 49th minute and Moroccan player Hamza Khaba converting a penalty in the 70th. Despite losing striker Youssef Majed to a red card, Al Arabi held on to its lead after Arkadag scored twice late in the game, securing three crucial points.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff