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.
History
The beginning
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 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.[citation needed] Club also has 4 tennis courts, gymnastics hall, judo, table tennis and boxing sections.
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]
1980–2009
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.
2010–2012
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.
2012–13 UAFA Cup
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.
2013–14
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.
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.
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]
Popular culture
One of the first songs was in 2004, "Panorama Al-Arabi", dedicated to the fans and goal celebrations.
On 16 October 2014 Al-Arabi SC became the first Kuwaiti team to have an anthem, first introduced VS Al-Yarmouk.[30]
Crest and colors
Crest evolution
Colors
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.
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
Current squad
First-team squad
As of 25 October 2023
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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.
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[78] bought ANTA Sports contract and made a contract with Al-Arabi SC. Extended Contract with Macron,[79] while after negotiations with the brand ended the club signed with Erreà.
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