Al-Qadsiya lost two important points against Al-Yarmouk.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 15: Sheikh Fahad Talal is working tirelessly to address internal issues and restore stability in Al-Qadsia ahead of the highly anticipated "Derby" match against Al-Arabi on Sunday in the 12th round of the Zain Premier League.

The dispute that occurred between Montenegrin coach Zeljko Petrovic and his assistant Saleh Al-Sheikh, along with football director Musaed Neda, has captured the attention of most fans. The disagreement arose during Al-Qadsia’s 2-2 draw against Al-Yarmouk in the 11th round, which saw Al-Qadsia drop 10 points behind league leaders Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi.

Sources reveal that Petrovic intended to substitute Libyan player Mohammed Soula into the match against Al-Yarmouk, despite objections from Neda and Al-Sheikh due to Soula’s ongoing injury. The player missed a crucial penalty in stoppage time. Petrovic, however, did not believe Soula was responsible for the draw, instead highlighting his past contributions to Al-Qadsia’s victories.

The match also saw several positional changes, prompted by the absence of key players due to injury, including Khaled Al-Rashidi and Khaled Ibrahim Soula, who only featured in the final 15 minutes of the game.

In the aftermath of the draw, Al-Yarmouk team manager Abdulaziz Al-Felakawi emphasized the significance of securing a point against Al-Qadsia. He acknowledged his team’s inability to convert dominance into goals, despite a strong performance. Al-Felakawi noted that Al-Yarmouk aimed for victory, given Al-Qadsia's recent triumph over league leaders Kuwait. He pointed out that Al-Yarmouk had a chance to strengthen their lead in the opening 15 minutes but were undone by individual errors, allowing Al-Qadsia to equalize. Al-Felakawi credited his players for their resilience in tough moments, earning a point that could serve as a foundation for the team's future success.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff