Algerian club JS Saoura fell to a 1-0 defeat against Kuwaiti champions Kuwait Sports Club on Wednesday in the First Qualifying Round of the Arab Club Champions Cup, also known as the King Salman Cup. Mohamed Marhoon scored the match’s only goal for Kuwait SC, who came out on top at the Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium and will defend a one-goal advantage when the teams meet again for the second leg in Oran, Algeria on March 21.
The Kuwaiti champions featured several African players in their eleven including Tunisia national team central defender Bilel Ifa and 2018 African Nations Championship winner Mehdi Berrahma of Morocco. The hosts came close to opening the scoring inside ten minutes when a free kick service was headed on target by Saleh Al Mojaidel but Saoura goalkeeper Zakaria Saidi got down quickly to push the ball away.
Saoura put plenty of pressure on the hosts but Kuwait SC keeper Dari Al Otaibi did enough to keep the match scoreless when halftime arrived. On the hour mark Kuwait SC found the game’s only goal from a set piece. Five minutes after Al Otaibi watched a Saoura shot go just wide of his net, the Algerian club failed to clear Egyptian attacker Amr Ahmed Abdelfattah’s corner kick and Bahrain national team midfielder Marhoon was on hand to finish past Saidi from close range.
Abdelfattah appeared to set up another goal a minute later when his cross was brilliantly turned in by a backheel from Sherko Karim but the Syrian attacker was ruled offsides. Dhiyaeddine Benyahia came closest to leveling for Saoura in the 80th minute but his free kick was well saved by Al Otaibi before his defense saved him with a timely clearance. Saoura had their opportunities but failed to find an away goal to take back home for the return leg.
Highlights from the match are below.
