Al-Qadsiya's Ahmed Boudi fights for the ball with Al-Salmiya players during the Zain Premier League match.

KUWAIT CITY, Al-Qadsiya has launched an internal training camp in preparation for its highly anticipated clash against Iraq’s Duhok in the first leg of the Gulf Champions League final scheduled for Tuesday.

The Yellows have momentarily shifted focus away from the Zain Premier League, following a 4-2 defeat to Al-Salmiya in the first round of the league’s group stage. Despite the setback, Al-Qadsiya remains in third place with 35 points, while Al-Salmiya closed the gap to just three points in fourth.

Al-Qadsiya will be without Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Barahma and Moaz Al-Dhafiri due to yellow card accumulations. However, the squad received a boost with the return of several players to training — Khaled Ibrahim, Ismail Khafi, Abdulaziz Wadi, Abdullah Mutawa, and Adhbi Shehab — who had missed the previous match due to injuries.

Although most of the recovering players are now fit, head coach Zeljko Petrović opted to rest them against Al-Salmiya to ensure peak performance for the Gulf final.

In their absence, Petrović gave opportunities to several up-and-coming players, including Ahmed Boudi, who marked his first senior team appearance with a debut goal. Also featuring were Faisal Al-Shatti, Abdulrahman Al-Dhafiri, Khaled Sabah, Mishaal Khaled, and Ahmed Shabib — a sign of depth and development within the squad.

With Al-Qadsiya trailing league leader Kuwait Club by 12 points with five matches remaining, Petrović has prioritized preparation for the Gulf final over domestic competition.

Al-Qadsiya began selling tickets for the crucial encounter against Duhok via several platforms and the club’s official app. The club is counting on strong fan support as it eyes a third Gulf title — having previously won the tournament in 2000 and 2005. The Gulf Champions League has returned to prominence this year after a nine-year hiatus.

Duhok's team touched down in Kuwait a day before yesterday and quickly got to work, beginning training sessions. Al-Qadsiya’s Secretary, Hassan Abu Al-Hassan, along with members of the club’s public relations team, warmly welcomed the Iraqi delegation and presented flowers to the visiting players.

As both teams finalize preparations, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling first leg in the Gulf Champions League final.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff