KUWAIT CITY, Aug 12: Mohammed Daham and Mashari Ghannam were unable to travel with the Kuwait Club delegation that arrived in Manama ahead of its crucial AFC Champions League 2 play-off match against Al-Ahli of Bahrain on Wednesday. The administrative team is working diligently to complete all necessary procedures for Daham and Ghannam to join the squad in time for the important fixture.

The team, under the guidance of Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic, commenced training recently, focusing on enhancing its readiness and aiming for a victory to secure its place in the AFC Champions League 2. The team is buoyed by its recent 1-0 win over Al-Qadisiya in their Zain Premier League opener.

Meanwhile, Al-Ahli continues its preparations following its external camp in Turkey, under the leadership of newly appointed Spanish coach Angel Lopez, who joined the club in July, Al-Ahli has bolstered its squad with new signings including left winger Julio Victor Sousa Ferreira, attacking midfielder Ramon Cesar Sereno, defensive midfielder Juda Aguiar da Silva, and Argentine striker Tobares.

During their Turkish camp, Al-Ahli played three friendlies, suffering losses to Algerian side Shabab Belouizdad (2-4), Turkish Ingolspor (1-2), and Iranian Persepolis (0-5). Last season, Al-Ahli finished fourth in the Nasser bin Hamad Premier League, tied on points with fifth-placed Manama. The winner of this play-off match will advance directly to the group stage of the tournament, while the loser will enter the AFC Challenge League.

The Asian Football Confederation has appointed Omani referee Qasim Al-Hatmi to officiate the play-off match between Kuwait and Al-Ahli. This decision comes shortly after the Oman Football Association announced an upgrade in its referees' classification to level (A), reflecting the high-quality performances of Omani referees in regional and continental competitions. The new classification will increase the number of Omani referees on the international list to 7 field referees and 9 assistant referees.

By Hassan Musa

Al/Seyassah/Arab Times Staff