Players vie for the ball during the Zain Premier League match.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 21: Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi aim to extend their winning streaks in the Zain Premier League with both eyeing a fifth consecutive victory. Kuwait Club faces Yarmouk at 8:25 pm, while Khaitan visits Al-Arabi at 6:10 pm at Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, marking the conclusion of the fifth round of the competition.

Kuwait Club, the league leader with 12 points, is determined to maintain its momentum and solidify its place at the top before next Friday’s highly anticipated clash with Al-Arabi. The team is coming off a goalless draw against Nasaf Qarshi of Uzbekistan in the AFC Champions League and will be eager to return to winning form.

Meanwhile, Yarmouk, currently at the bottom of the standings with just two points, hopes to secure a positive result and claim its first win of the season, though the challenge will be formidable.

In the other fixture, Al-Arabi, also with 12 points, seeks another win to stay in title contention, continuing its quest for a new league championship. Its opponent, Khaitan (4 points), will aim to capitalize on the recent difficulties within the Al-Arabi squad.

Al-Arabi’s Sultan Al-Enezi has joined teammate Abdulrahman Al-Dhafiri in skipping training recently. Al-Enezi’s absence stems from a dispute over unpaid wages, marking the second time he’s missed team activities this season, following a similar situation last June. Sources indicate that despite being under contract with Al-Arabi until the end of next season, Al-Enezi has signed with Dhofar in Oman, having unilaterally terminated his contract due to delayed payments.

Al-Dhafiri has been absent since last week, having received a contract offer from Al-Ta’ee in Saudi Arabia. Sources claim that Al-Arabi’s management views the situation legally, and both players could face suspension and financial penalties if they continue their absences.

Al-Tadamon delivered another strong performance, defeating Al-Nasr 1-0 in the "Farwaniya Derby" at Nasser Al-Osaimi Stadium. The decisive goal came from an own goal by Brazilian Bernardo Villar just before halftime, lifting Al-Tadamon’s total to 7 points, while Al-Nasr remains with 3 points. In recognition of the victory, Al-Tadamon’s football department head, Mufrej Al-Musailem, awarded 100 dinars to each player.

By Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff