DOHA, Feb 27: Kuwait Club is set to face its Qatari counterpart, Al-Rayyan, today at 6:00 pm. This match marks the second round of the second group in the 40th edition of the Gulf Club Championship, currently hosted in Doha, Qatar. The championship will continue until March 5. Preceding this encounter, at four in the afternoon in the same group, Al-Shabab of Bahrain will take on Maliha of the UAE.

Both Kuwait Club and Al-Rayyan currently top the group standings with two points each. In the opening round, Kuwait Club secured a victory against Maliha with a score of 32-28, while Al-Rayyan defeated Al-Shabab 36-30.

Today's match holds significant importance for Al-Abyad, the defending champion, as a triumph over Al-Rayyan would secure its spot in the semi-finals, irrespective of the outcomes in the third and final round. Recognizing the crucial nature of the match, Al-Abyad's coach, Haitham Al-Rashidi, is focused on securing the two points, particularly considering Al-Rayyan's reputation as a strong team and a potential semi-finalist.

The team, led by notable players such as Qatari professional Frankis Marzo, Portuguese Angel Hernandez, Brazilian   Vinicius, and local talents including Abdullah Al-Khamis, Saleh Al-Moussawi, Mishal Taha, Mishari Siwan, Ali Safar, Saif Al-Adwani, Abdulaziz Al-Shammari, Muhammad Amer, Muhammad Daif, and others, needs to address issues from their previous match against Maliha. This includes maintaining composure, avoiding hasty shots, and ensuring players are closely aligned on the defensive end to counter the opponent's proficiency in penetrating from various positions.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff