| Clubname: | Al-Arabi SC |
| Upright: | 0.7 |
| Fullname: | Al-Arabi Sporting Club |
| Nickname: | Al-Za'eem (The Boss) El-Akhthar (The Green) The Castle Of Trophies |
| Founded: | (as Al-Uruba) (as Al-Arabi)[1] |
| Ground: | Sabah Al-Salem Stadium Al-Mansouriah (Kuwait City) |
| Capacity: | 15,000[2] |
| Chairman: | Khaled mohammed Al-Haddad |
| Manager: | Nasser Al-Shatti |
| League: | Kuwait Premier League |
| Season: | 2023–24 |
| Position: | 2nd of 6 |
| Pattern La1: | _greenborder |
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| Pattern La2: | _whitesmalllower |
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| Website: | https://alarabiclub.store/ |
Al-Arabi Sporting Club[3] [4] (Arabic: النادي العربي الرياضي) is a Kuwaiti sports club based in Mansuriya district of Kuwait City. The most notable section is football team in the Kuwait Premier League.
Al-Arabi SC was named Al-ʿUrūba (Arabic: العُروبَة|lit=The Arabism) at the beginning of 1953, and changed to Al-Arabi SC (The Arabian) in 1960. As winners of the Kuwait Emir Cup in 2008,[5] Al-Arabi SC was the first Kuwaiti team to compete in the AFC Cup. Al-Arabi SC has 63 official trophies next to its name (61 domestic and 2 GCC), the most of any Kuwaiti football team. Al-Arabi SC's stadium is Sabah Al-Salem Stadium in Mansūriya, a suburb of the capital of the country, Kuwait City. It is the second-largest stadium in Kuwait. It had the same points as Kuwait SC in 2014–15 season, but the title went to Kuwait by the principle of the results of the matches between the two teams.
Al-Arabi SC is the only team in Kuwait that has never lost in the Kuwait Super Cup. Holding both records for appearances in the final of the Kuwait Crown Prince Cup 4 consecutive times tied with Kuwait SC and in Kuwait Emir Cup going to the final 11 consecutive times since 1962 to 1973, more than any Kuwaiti team.
The club was founded as Al-Uruba in mid-1953 as one of the first Kuwaiti teams.[6] Some of the most notable players were Abdulwahab Al-Awadie, Abdulaziz Al-Khatieb, Musad Al-Musad, Mohammed Al-Dawlee, Abdulmajied Mohammed, Mohammed Al-Somale, Dasman Bakhiet, Ahmad Bodha, Monaier Al-Dagag, Fuad Al-Ashgar, Ahmad Hussain, Abbas Al-Shemaly, Mossa Al-Somale, Nayef Dalool and Mohhamed Salah Al-Roomy.
At first in 1960s Al-Arabi SC was structured with divisions of football, basketball, volleyball and weightlifting.
At the beginning Al-Arabi SC made many achievements, thanks to their players and submitted board members. Al-Arabi has many sports with separate facilities. Abdulaziz Al-Khatib multi-purpose hall is used for basketball, handball, volleyball, squash, and can accommodate about 2,000 spectators. The swimming pool has a capacity of 1,500 spectators. Club also has 4 tennis courts, gymnastics hall, judo, table tennis and boxing sections.
Through the years Al-Arabi SC has won the Kuwait Premier League 7 times. They have also won 3 Joint Leagues, 6 Emir Cup's and 1 Federation Cup.They were the first-ever Kuwaiti team to play outside Kuwait, by competing in friendly matches against teams through the Arabian Peninsula, showing competitive play. On 3 December 1974 Al-Arabi SC faced Lazio from Italy and beat them 1–0 in a friendly match.[7]
In 1982 Al-Arabi SC was the first-ever team to win Gulf Club Champions Cup (GCC Champions League), and then won it again in 2003.[8]
Al-Arabi SC had changed their logo in 1991. From 1990 to 2005 they have won 26 titles. Their then-last league title came in 2001–02, with occasional AFC Cup appearances.
Through these 2 seasons they won 2 titles: the Kuwait Super Cup and Kuwait Crown Prince Cup. On 27 December 2011, they were crowned champions of the Crown Prince Cup after 3 trophy-less seasons.
Al-Arabi had qualified for the final match of UAFA CUP. They were faced against Al-Fateh SC of Saudi Arabia. In the first leg they won 3–2 in Kuwait City, and in the away leg played in Saudi Arabia they tied 2-2, but they qualified to the next round on aggregate (5–4). In the quarter finals, they were matched up against Al-Nassr, again of Saudi Arabia. They lost 3–2 in the first leg played away in Saudi Arabia, however they won 2–0 at home, thus qualifying to the semi-final on aggregate (4–3). In the semi-final, they were matched up against Raja Casablanca. They tied at home 1-1 and in the away leg 2-2. However, they moved on to the final because of the away goals rule.
In the final, they played against USM Alger from Algeria. They tied 0–0 in Kuwait and lost they away leg 3–2, with several controversial refereeing decisions.
In the 2013–14 season, Al-Arabi SC qualified for the Kuwait Crown Cup final third time in a row, losing to Al-Qadsia SC (2–1), with more controversial refereeing decisions. In the same season Al-Arabi SC finished 5th in the league and got knocked out of the Kuwait Emir Cup[9] by Al-Qadsia penalties, but ended their season winning Kuwait Federation Cup[10] 4–2 over Al-Salmiya SC.
In the 2014–15 season Al-Arabi signed Firas Al-Khatib,[11] showing how strong they want to win Kuwaiti Premier League. They also signed Ivusa from Sahel SC,[12] sent Mahmoud Al-Maowas on loan,[13] and eventually released Ivusa,[14] resigning Maowas and buying Hashem Al-Ramzi. However, Boris Bunjak told Khaled Khalaf he is not needed in Al-Arabi SC.[15] [16] [17] When Al-Arabi SC left for a 2-week pre-season in Turkey,[18] [19] they took Ahmad Hawas,[20] former Al-Salmiya player.
They have claimed seasonal seats to be sold the first time, for a fee of $385.[21] [22]
On 16 October 2014 Al-Arabi SC became the first Kuwaiti team to have an anthem.[23]
After defeating Kuwait SC 4–2 (aet) in the Crown Prince Cup final, it was Al-Arabi's 57th official title.[24]
ِAl-Arabi lost the crucial Kuwait City Derby on 10 April 2015 vs Kuwait SC 1–0. The match had all the seats filled to the last, for the first time in the history of Kuwaiti football.[25]
Manager Bunjak has requested preparation tour to Italy which was announced,[26] but on 17 July 2015 it was officially stated that he has left the club.
On 7 December 2015 it was announced that Luiz Felipe has left the club immediately after defeat to Al-Salmiya SC in the Crown Prince Cup.[27] Boris Bunjak returned to manage the team right after.
After the loss of Emir Cup Final to Kuwait SC, the club went into war between fans and head office. After signing with Miodrag Ješić on 13 November 2016, they became the first club in the middle east to have seven managers across two seasons.
By 2021, Al-Arabi managed to win the seventeenth league title in its history, with the help of its Croatian coach Ante Miše after nineteen years, without any loss in 18 games.[28]
One of the first songs was in 2004, "Panorama Al-Arabi", dedicated to the fans and goal celebrations.
As of 2012 the next song was released, "Hello Za'eem".[29] It was used for the 2011–12 Kuwait Crown Prince Cup.
On 16 October 2014 Al-Arabi SC became the first Kuwaiti team to have an anthem, first introduced VS Al-Yarmouk.[30]
Al-Arabi SC have changed their colors over the years. Since 1960–90 their colors were light green and white as the away kit.
From 2000–present, they changed to a darker green and the away color was still white.
By 2012 it was announced that Al-Arabi SC will be wearing dark green as their home kit, the away kit will be blue, and the third kit will be white with green.
In the 2013–14 season, Al-Arabi SC wore only the home kit and third kit.
In 2019–present, Al-Arabi SC changed the logo colors from yellow to gold, and for the word 'club' in Arabic they made it white.
| Green | White |
See main article: Kuwaiti El Clásico.
The Kuwait City derby is match between Al-Arabi SC and Kuwait SC.
Matches between Al-Salmiya SC and Al-Arabi SC are often high-profile.
As of the 2014–15 season, Al-Salmiya had many new signings to the team and won their first encounter in the league.
| 2007–08 | Firas Al-Khatib 24 | Khaled Khalaf 14 | Hussain Al-Moussawi 7 | |
| 2008–09 | Firas Al-Khatib 25 | Khaled Khalaf 8 | Hussain Al-Moussawi 7 | |
| 2009–10 | Mohamed Al Zeno 12 | Hussain Al-Moussawi 9 | Ali Maqseed 7 | |
| 2010–11 | Abdelmajid Eddine 17 | Hussain Al-Moussawi 13 | Ali Maqseed 5 | |
| 2011–12 | Mohammed Za'abia 8 | Ali Magseed 6 | Khaled Khalaf 5 | |
| 2012–13 | Ahmad Hayel 20 | Fahad Al Rashidi 14 | Kader Fall 12 | |
| 2013–14 | Ahmad Hayel 20 | Fahad Al Rashidi 15 | Mahmoud Al-Mawass 8 | |
| 2014–15 | Firas al-Khatib 24 | Ahmad Hayel 15 | Hussain Al-Moussawi 13 | |
| 2015–16 | Firas al-Khatib 27 | Fahad Al Rashidi 9 | Tiago Queiroz Bezerra 8 | |
| 2016–17 | Amine Chermiti 16 | Hussain Al-Moussawi 15 | Ali Maqseed 7 | |
| 2017–18 | Hussain Al-Moussawi 10 | Bobby Clement 9 | Ali Maqseed & Said Al-Ruzaiqi 7 |
| Position | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Club Chairman | Abdulaziz Ashour | |
| Chief Executive | Osama Hussain | |
| secret keeper | Fuad Almazidi | |
| Football Chairman | Ali Mandani | |
| Commercial and Promotion Manager |
| Position | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Thomas Brdaric | |
| Assistant Manager | Matko Djarmati | |
| Performance Consultant | Abdullah Al-Haeri | |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Feđa Kulaglić | |
| Fitness Coach | Manef Nabi | |
| Medical Coach | Dr. Anwar Ali |
| Name | Nat. | From | To | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todor Velev | 1974 | 1976 | ||
| Dave Mackay | 1978 | 1978 | ||
| Frank Upton | 1981 | 1982 | ||
| Dave Mackay | 1987 | 1987 | ||
| Bobby Ferguson | 1987 | 1989 | ||
| Colin Addison | 1992 | 1993 | ||
| Bobby Campbell | 1993 | 1994 | ||
| Mohammed Karam | 1994 | 1995 | ||
| Jawad Maqseed | 1996 | 1996 | ||
| Fawzi Ibrahim | 1996 | 1997 | ||
| Ján Pivarník |  | 1998 | 1999 | |
| Dragan Gugleta | 1999 | 2000 | ||
| Ján Pivarník | | June 2000 | September 2001 | [31] |
| Valdeir Vieira |  | September 2001 | 2003 | |
| Sebastião Lazaroni | | June 2003 | June 2004 | [32] |
| Mohammed Karam | June 2004 | 2004 | ||
| Mohsen Saleh |  | August 2004 | November 2005 | [33] |
| Valdeir Vieira | | November 2005 | April 2006 | [34] |
| Ahmed Khalaf | April 2006 | June 2006 | [35] | |
| Nenad Stavrić |  | July 2006 | February 2007 | [36] [37] |
| José Rachão | February 2007 | May 2008 | [38] [39] | |
| Ahmed Khalaf | May 2008 | May 2009 | [40] | |
| Zoran Popović | | May 2009 | June 2009 | [41] [42] |
| Dragan Skočić | July 2009 | May 2010 | [43] | |
| Marcelo Cabo | | May 2010 | March 2011 | [44] |
| Zoran Bebić | | March 2011 | April 2011 | [45] |
| Fawzi Ibrahim | April 2011 | June 2011 | [46] | |
| José Romão | June 2011 | May 2014 | [47] | |
| Boris Bunjak | | July 2014 | July 2015 | [48] |
| Luís Filipe | July 2015 | December 2015 | [49] [50] | |
| Ahmed Askar (interim) | December 2015 | December 2015 | [51] | |
| Boris Bunjak | | December 2015 | May 2016 | [52] |
| Fawzi Ibrahim | May 2016 | October 2016 | [53] | |
| Ahmed Askar (interim) | October 2016 | November 2016 | [54] | |
| Miodrag Ješić | | November 2016 | March 2017 | [55] |
| Mohammed Ebrahim | June 2017 | May 2018 | [56] | |
| Hussam Al Sayed |  | June 2018 | May 2019 | [57] |
| Juan Martínez |  | June 2019 | September 2019 | [58] |
| Darko Nestorović |  | October 2019 | June 2020 | [59] |
| Bassem Marmar |  | July 2020 | October 2020 | [60] |
| Ahmed Othman | October 2020 | December 2020 | [61] | |
| Ante Miše | December 2020 | June 2022 | [62] | |
| Jugoslav Trenchovski |  | July 2022 | September 2022 | [63] |
| Rusmir Cviko | | September 2022 | May 2023 | [64] |
| Thomas Brdarić | June 2023 | November 2023 | [65] [66] | |
| Darko Nestorović | | November 2023 | April 2024 | [67] |
| Nasser Al-Shatti | April 2024 | Present |
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Asian Club Championship | Group | Perak FA | 3–0 | ||||
| Group | Taj Club | 0–0 | ||||||
| Group | ROK Army | 0–1 | ||||||
| 1991–92 | Asian Club Championship | 1st Round | Al-Hilal | 1–1 | 0–2 | |||
| 1993–94 | Asian Club Championship | 1st Round | Al Shabab | 1–7 | 2–5 | |||
| 1997–98 | Asian Club Championship | 1st Round | Al-Ansar | 0–1 | 1–2 | |||
| 2003 | AFC Champions League | 3rd Round | Al-Ittihad | 4–0 | 1–1 | |||
| 4th Round | Nisa Aşgabat | bgcolor="#ffdddd" | - | bgcolor="#ffdddd" | - | |||
| 2004 | AFC Champions League | Group | Al-Ittihad | 0–0 | 0–2 | |||
| Group | Sepahan | 2–2 | 1–3 | |||||
| Group | FK Neftchi | 3–2 | 2–1 | |||||
| 2006 | AFC Champions League | Group | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 0–1 | 0–3 | |||
| Group | Al-Sadd | 1–2 | 1–4 | |||||
| Group | Al Shabab | 3–0 | 0–2 | |||||
| 2007 | AFC Champions League | Group | Al-Zawra'a | 0–1 | 2–3 | |||
| Group | Al-Wahda | 3–2 | 1–4 | |||||
| Group | Al-Rayyan | 1–1 | 3–1 | |||||
| 2009 | AFC Cup | Group | Al-Oruba | 2–0 | 1–1 | |||
| Group | Arbil | 2–0 | 1–1 | |||||
| Group | Al-Mabarrah | 4–2 | 1–2 | |||||
| Round of 16 | Safa | 2–1 (aet) | ||||||
| Quarter-final | Al-Karamah | 0–0 (aet) (4–5 pen.) | 0–0 | |||||
| 2022 | AFC Cup | Group | Al-Riffa | 3-2 | ||||
| Group | Shabab Al-Khalil SC | 1-0 | ||||||
| Group | Dhofar | 1-1 | ||||||
| Quarterfinal |  | Al-Seeb Club | 1-2(aet) | |||||
| 2023–24 | AFC Cup | Group |  | Al-Zawraa SC | 1-1 | 2-1 | ||
| Group |  | Al-Riffa SC | 0-3 | 1–2 | ||||
| Group | | Nejmeh SC | 0–0 | 2-1 | ||||
Notes: * Round Rubin tournament
The Founding Committee in 1953 through 1960 involved Mohalhel Mohammed Al-Mudhaf and Khalid Ahmed Al-Mudhaf.
| Years | Chairman |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Mohalhel Mohammed Al-Mudhaf |
| 1960–61 | Mohalhel Mohammed Al-Mudhaf |
| 1961–62 | Khalid Ahmed Al-Mudhaf |
| 1962–63 | Khalid Ahmed Al-Mudhaf |
| 1963–64 | Khalid Ahmed Al-Mudhaf |
| 1964–65 | Khalid Ahmed Al-Mudhaf |
| 1965–66 | Khalid Ahmed Al-Mudhaf |
| 1966–67 | Khalid Ahmed Al-Mudhaf |
| 1967–68 | Moussa Rashid Al-Fahad |
| 1969–70 | Mohammed Saleh Al-Mulla |
| 1970–71 | Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah |
| 1971–72 | Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah |
| 1972–73 | Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah |
| 1973–74 | Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah |
| 1974–76 | Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah |
| 1976–78 | Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah |
| 1978–79 | Ahmed Sayed Abdelsamad |
| 1979–81 | Ahmed Sayed Abdelsamad |
| 1981–83 | Sheikh Nayef Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah |
| 1983–85 | Ahmed Sayed Abdelsamad |
| 1985–87 | Ahmed Sayed Abdelsamad |
| 1987–89 | Ahmed Sayed Abdelsamad |
| 1989–92 | Sheikh Ali Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah |
| 1992–93 | Fahd Abdulaziz Al-Humaiadhan |
| 1993–94 | Mohammed Saleh Al-Mulla |
| 1994–97 | Ahmed Sayed Abdelsamad |
| 1997–00 | Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Shehab |
| 2000–03 | Jamal Shaker Al-Kazemi |
| 2003–06 | Jamal Shaker Al-Kazemi |
| 2006–10 | Jamal Shaker Al-Kazemi |
| 2010 | Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah |
| 2010–19 | Jamal Shaker Al-Kazemi |
| 2019– | Aziz Ashour |
KPL/VPL clubs are limited to 5 foreign professionals (4 + 1 Asian) per squad while signing 2 non-nationality Kuwaitis where 5 play on the pitch and 6 Kuwaitis play on the pitch.
List of Al-Arabi former Players
See main article: Retired numbers in football. [68] [69] [70] [71] [72]
1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64
1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85
1961–62
1962–63
33 matches straight
10–0 v Al-Shorta 1962–63
10–0 v Al-Fahaheel 9 October 1964
0–5 v Kazma SC 27 October 1972
0–5 v Kuwait SC 27 November 1975
1–6 v Qadsia SC 9 December 1976
1. Abdulrahman Al-Dawla – ?
2. Firas Al-Khatib – 186
3. Khaled Khalaf – 66
4. Ahmad Hayel – 55
5. Fahad Al-Rashidi – 51
Most appearances:
Celtic officially announced their affiliation with Al-Arabi SC in order to help both teams assist one another through ideas, experience and scouting. The agreement encompasses all sports mutually practiced by both clubs, but is mainly focused on cooperation in football.
| 1984 AFC Asian Cup | 1996 AFC Asian Cup | 2000 AFC Asian Cup
| 2011 AFC Asian Cup 
| 2015 AFC Asian Cup  |
63 Official Trophies As of 6 February 2023
1961–62*, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1969–70, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1992–93, 1996–97, 2001–02, 2020–21(* First ever winners)
1967–68, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1986–87, 1989–90, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2014–15, 2022–23
1961–62*, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1970–71, 1980–81, 1982–83, 1991–92, 1995–96, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2019–20(* First ever winners)
1964–65, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2008–09, 2015–16, 2017–18
1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2006–07, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2021–22, 2022–23
2002–03, 2009–10, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2019–20
2020(* First ever winners)
1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1984–85, 1988–89
1969–70, 1978–1979, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2000–2001, 2013–14
1998–99, 2000–01, 2001–02
2003–04, 2005–06
1982*, 2003(* First ever winners)
1983, 1985, 1994
Not counted with the other 63 Official Championships
1956–57
1954–55, 1955–56
1978–79
1970–71
1970–71
1966–67
1968–69
1981–82
Khaleeji sport KUW:
Best fans of the year(1): 2014
Kems Awards:
Fans of the season(1): 2014–15
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | |
| 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 19 | −11 |
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | |
| 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 28 | 31 | −3 |
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | |
| 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 7 | +6 |
2012–13
2012–13
2014–15, 2015–16
2013–14
In the Al-Arabi SC signed a 4-year deal with Adidas and then signed with ANTA Sports in the 2013–14 season Due to Adidas not willing to renew their contract after that in 2014–15 season Macron[79] bought ANTA Sports contract and made a contract with Al-Arabi SC. Extended Contract with Macron,[80] while after negotiations with the brand ended the club signed with Erreà.
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1976–82 | Puma | none |
| 1982–96 | Adidas | |
| 1996–03 | Warrior | Hyundai |
| 2003–04 | Nike | |
| 2004–09 | Wataniya Telecom + Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait | |
| 2009–12 | Adidas | |
| 2012–13 | Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait | |
| 2013–14 | ANTA | |
| 2014–15 | Macron | |
| 2015–16 | Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait + Health House Nutrition* | |
| 2016– | Erreà | Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait |
Notes:1:* Sponsor on arm side of Kit
Herfy restaurant
Adidas (2009–13)
Hummel International (handball team only)
NIKE (2003–09) 
Chili's Restaurant (2013–)
Turkish Airways
ANTA Sports (2013–14)
Macron (2014–)Al-Arabi SC 3–0 
Perak
3/11/1974: Al-Arabi SC 1–0 Lazio[81]
2/8/2014: Al-Arabi SC 2–0 Bursaspor U-21[82]
5/8/2014: Al-Arabi SC 2–1 Bursa Nilüferspor
1977–78: Al-Arabi SC 1–1 Poland
2005–06: Al-Arabi SC 2–0 Syria
2007–08: Al-Arabi SC 1–1 Ivory Coast
2013–14: Al-Arabi SC 1–0 Kyrgyzstan[83]