Al-Qadsiya player shoots the ball as an opponent looks on.

KUWAIT CITY, March 16: The draw for the two-legged final of the Gulf Champions League, featuring Al-Qadsiya and Iraqi club Duhok SC, will take place on April 8 and 15.

Al-Qadsiya is targeting its third title in the competition, having previously won in 2000 and 2006. The club has received backing from the Football Association, which met last Friday with its officials and president, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef. The discussions focused on ensuring optimal preparation for the final while balancing domestic commitments.

For the first leg, Al-Qadsiya will be without Moroccan duo Mehdi Berrahma and Moaz Al-Dhafriri, both suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Meanwhile, Qatari club Al-Sadd has opted out of participating in the upcoming edition of the Gulf Clubs Championship next season. Initially set to take part due to their sixth-place finish in the Qatari league last season, Al-Sadd was expected to replace Al-Arabi, who finished fourth. However, Al-Arabi will miss the Gulf Cup as they prepare for the AFC Champions League, following an increase in the number of Qatari teams in the tournament to four.

The two Qatari representatives for the upcoming Gulf Cup have yet to be confirmed, though early indications suggest Qatar SC (fifth in last season’s league) and Al-Wakrah SC (seventh) are likely to participate.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff