KUWAIT CITY, Aug 1: The Zain Premier League clubs are finalizing their preparations for the 2024-2025 sports season with a series of friendly matches today and tomorrow. The league is set to kick off next Thursday. Defending champion Kuwait Club will conclude its preseason friendlies with a closed match against Al-Salmiya at their Kaifan stadium. Both teams requested that the match be closed to the public.

Kuwait Club’s Montenegrin coach, Nebojsa, aims to assess his players' readiness following their training camp in Turkey. The team will face Al-Qadisiya next Thursday in the league opener, an important fixture before its departure to Manama for a playoff match against Al-Ahly of Bahrain on August 14, which is part of the qualification process for the AFC Champions League 2.

Meanwhile, Al-Salmiya’s Croatian coach, Ante Miša, will use this match to finalize his lineup for their league debut against Al-Nasr on August 10. Miša’s team has recently concluded a training camp in Bosnia.

Additionally, Ayman Abu Al-Fath, who replaced the injured Argentine Sergio Vitor, joined Kuwait SC’s training sessions. Vitor is sidelined due to a cruciate ligament injury. Al-Qadisiya will also play a friendly against Saudi Arabia's Al-Taawoun to wrap up its training camp in Egypt. It will return to Kuwait on Sunday to prepare for its match against Kuwait SC.

Al-Qadisiya’s coach, Mohammed Al-Mishaan, is looking for an improved performance after his team ended their camp with three draws and no wins. While victories are not critical, they are seen as an important psychological boost for the team.

Al-Arabi will play its final preseason match against Turkish side Erzurum Spoor before returning to Kuwait tomorrow. Coach Nasser Al-Shatti aims to enhance team cohesion and evaluate player readiness ahead of their league opener against Kazma on August 10.

Lastly, Al-Nasr defeated Burqan 4-1 in its latest friendly at Al-Nasr’s stadium. Goals for Al-Nasr were scored by Fahad Al-Salama, Zakaria Al-Wardi, Fawaz Al-Mubailish, and Carlos Ventura. This match is part of Al-Nasr’s preparations for the Zain Premier League, while Burqan gears up for the First Division League.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff