AFC Challenge League
Francisco Politino’s first half goal proved to be the decider with the Syrian side looking to build on this win against Lebanon’s Nejmeh SC on Tuesday while Al Arabi of Kuwait will seek to rebound against Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol.
Homs Al Fidaa produced the first shot on target, Politino given space to manoeuvre outside the box in the fourth minute, firing a fierce shot which Sulaiman Abdulghafoor needed to tip over the bar.
Al Arabi’s response came three minutes later through Anayo Iwuala’s surging run on the left flank but Zeid Qunbar placed his header from the cross wide despite not being under pressure.
Politino again gave Abdulghafoor work to do in the 31st minute, running onto Abdulrahman Barakat’s header and spinning on the spot to get his strike away but it was direct at the Al Arabi custodian.
The same combination was not to be denied a second time, Barakat’s initial effort two minutes later pushed away by Abdulghafoor but Politino was on hand to steer home the rebound.
Group B: Al Arabi SC (KUW) v Homs Al Fidaa SC (SYR)
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Al Arabi appeared for the second half a different side but spurned a great chance in the 52nd minute after a give-and-go between Kenean Markneh and Ali Khalaf put the latter in a one-on-one situation against Khaled Ibrahim but he smashed his attempt well wide of the target.
The Kuwaiti side continued to push and went close again in the 78th minute from a short free-kick which saw Walid Ould-Chikh freeing Bander Al Salamah in the box only for the forward to drag his low shot wide.
Homs Al Fidaa sat deeper and deeper with every passing minute to protect their precious lead and in the end, held Al Arabi at arms length to start their campaign with a win.
