Al-Qadsiya player controls the ball as Kuwait Club players chase him during the Zain League game.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 11: The Zain Premier League witnessed a significant shakeup in its tenth round as league leader Kuwait Club suffered its first defeat of the season, falling 2-1 to Al-Qadsiya. This victory not only ended Al-Qadsiya's 14-match winless streak against Kuwait but also served as a major boost for its traditional rival, Al-Arabi, who capitalized with a 3-0 win over Kazma to join Kuwait  Club at the top of the standings.

Al-Qadsiya, sitting third in the table with 19 points, narrowed the gap to the leaders, reigniting hopes of reclaiming a title that has eluded them for eight seasons. This win was particularly significant as it marked its first victory over Kuwait Club at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium since 2012. Despite missing key players such as Khaled Ibrahim, Khaled Al-Rashidi, and Yousef Al-Haqan, the team delivered a spirited performance that restored their championship ambitions.

Kuwait Club, now level on points with Al-Arabi, saw its solo reign at the top disrupted. The team paid the price for Amr Abdel Fattah's red card, which proved costly in its defeat to Al-Qadsiya. This loss has opened the door for Al-Arabi to stake their claim for the title, ending Kuwait's dominant streak over recent rounds.

Al-Arabi emerged as the biggest winner of this round, sharing the lead with Kuwait Club and seizing an opportunity to end its three-season title drought. With momentum on its side, the "Green" now has its fate in its own hands as the race for the title intensifies.

Fahaheel and Al-Salmiya, both with 17 points, secured crucial victories to strengthen their positions in fourth and fifth place. Fahaheel edged past Khaitan 1-0, while Al-Salmiya defeated Al-Nasr 2-1, distancing it from the relegation zone.

Tadamon, in sixth place with 14 points, recorded a vital 3-2 win over Yarmouk, a direct rival in the relegation battle. However, it remains close to the danger zone and must stay consistent to avoid slipping further.

Kazma’s woes continued as they fell to Al-Arabi, leaving it in seventh place with 10 points. Despite new signings, the team failed to impress and faces the prospect of repeating last season’s struggle in the relegation avoidance league.

Meanwhile, Khaitan (5 points), Al-Nasr (4 points), and Yarmouk (3 points) are on the brink of relegation league participation. Their survival now requires a near-impossible turnaround to break into the top six.

As the league progresses, the top six teams will vie for the title, while the bottom four will battle in the relegation league, with two teams facing demotion to the first division. The stakes are higher than ever, with every match crucial in shaping the fate of the teams.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff