Petrovic meets with Al-Qadsiya players before training.

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 23: The Kuwait Club delegation embarks on a challenging journey today, heading to Uzbekistan to face Nasaf Qarshi next Wednesday in the fifth round of Group 4 matches in the AFC Champions League 2.

The journey is expected to take 19 hours before reaching Qarshi, where the game will take place at the Markazi Stadium. The team plans to hold its first training session tomorrow under the guidance of Montenegrin coach Nebojsa Jovovic. The final preparations in Kuwait Club saw the full squad assembled, with the return of international players Fahad Al-Hajri, Sami Al-Sanea, Abdulrahman Kamil, Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, Reda Hani, Mishari Ghannam, Faisal Zayed, Mohammed Daham, Yousef Nasser, and Khaled Al-Kharqawi.

Coach Jovovic and his players aim to secure their first victory in the competition, hoping to elevate the team's standing and leave a strong impression in Kuwait Club’s debut season in the AFC Champions League 2. Kuwait Club currently sits at the bottom of the group with two points from four matches. Group leader Al-Hussein Irbid of Jordan has 9 points, followed by UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli with 7 points, and Nasaf Qarshi with 4 points.

While Kuwait Club’s chances of advancing remain slim, the team retains hope, requiring back-to-back wins and Shabab Al-Ahli to lose its remaining matches.

Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiya continues its training in Manama, Bahrain, in preparation for their third-round match against Al-Riffa in the Gulf Clubs Championship's Group 2.

Al-Qadsiya currently occupies third place in the group with one point from two matches. Al-Riffa sits second with three points after defeating Qatar’s Al-Arabi, while Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq leads the group with six points. Al-Arabi is fourth with one point.

Despite its similar standings, Al-Qadsiya is better positioned than Kuwait, having played fewer matches. A win against Al-Riffa would significantly boost their chances of advancing.

Coach Zeljko Petrovic expressed optimism, emphasizing the importance of securing a victory to keep qualification hopes alive. The team’s preparations are bolstered by the return of key international players, including Khaled Ibrahim, Khaled Al-Rashidi, Eid Al-Rashidi, Rashid Al-Dosari, Adhbi Shehab, and Moaz Al-Dhafiri.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah /Arab Times Staff