Al Arabi star Salman Al Awadhi – the best player of the round.

KUWAIT CITY, Jan 22: Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi continued their fierce battle for the top spot in the Zain Premier League after round 12, each securing thrilling victories. Kuwait Club triumphed 2-1 over Khaitan, while Al-Arabi outclassed Al-Qadsiya 4-2 in a dramatic derby.

Kuwait Club retained its lead in the standings, edging Khaitan with a dramatic stoppage-time penalty by Yousef Nasser. Despite a subdued offensive performance, Kuwait clinched the crucial win to stay ahead of Al-Arabi, who also triumphed in a thrilling comeback against Al-Qadisiyah. After being 2-0 down at halftime, Al-Arabi turned the game around with four goals in the second half, highlighting the strength of its squad and Coach Nasser Al-Shatti's tactics.

Al-Qadsiya's chances for the title took a significant blow, dropping to fifth place with a 4-2 defeat to Al-Arabi. The team's lack of key players due to injuries and an incomplete foreign squad makes its mission to compete for the title increasingly difficult.

Al-Salmiya maintained third place with a solid 2-0 victory over Al-Tadamon, thanks to standout performances from Libyan Al-Sanussi Al-Hadi and Kuwaiti international Moaz Al-Aseema. Meanwhile, Al-Fahaheel secured a convincing 4-1 win over Al-Yarmouk, powered by a hat-trick from Brazilian William Barros, propelling them to fourth place.

Kuwait Club leads with 33 points, followed closely by Al-Arabi with 33 points but trailing on goal difference. Al-Salmiya holds third with 23 points, while Al-Fahaheel follows in fourth with 20 points. Al-Qadsiya’s defeat leaves them in fifth, struggling to keep up with the top contenders. At the bottom, Yarmouk remains last, still without a win this season.

In the dramatic Al-Qadsiya vs. Al-Arabi derby, Al-Arabi's Salman Al-Awadhi played a pivotal role in the comeback, scoring the equalizer and winning a controversial penalty. Meanwhile, William Barros’ hat-trick for Al-Fahaheel continues to impress, while Vitor da Silva leads the league’s top scorers with 11 goals.

With Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi continuing to exchange blows at the top, the race for the Zain Premier League title remains intense. Al-Qadisiya’s chances are fading, while teams like Al-Salmiya and Al-Fahaheel aim to climb further into contention. The upcoming rounds are set to be critical in shaping the league’s future.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff