KUWAIT CITY — Kuwait head coach Jian Pizzi is keeping his strategy under wraps as he prepares to face his former team, Bahrain, in the Khaleeji Zain 26 semi-final on Tuesday night.

The high-stakes clash kicks off at 8:45 p.m. at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, with a capacity crowd of 57,000 fans expected.

Pizzi, who previously managed Bahrain before taking charge of Kuwait in the summer, is leveraging his familiarity with the opposition but declined to reveal any tactical details at the pre-match press conference.

“Every team has positives and negatives, and we have analysed their team, but I will not share my style of play here today,” Pizzi said.

“What I can say is that we will fight to achieve the best result for Kuwait.”

Despite the absence of star midfielder Ahmed Al-Dhefiri due to suspension, Pizzi expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to deliver a strong performance and move closer to securing Kuwait’s 11th Gulf title.

“The fans have been right behind us, and we call on them to support the national team, who will give their best on the field,” Pizzi said.

He also praised the team’s progress during his six-month tenure, citing “big development” in their play.

Bahrain, already qualified for the semi-finals before their final Group B loss to Yemen, rested key players in preparation for the knockout stage. Pizzi acknowledged that this gave Bahrain an advantage.

“Bahrain have had the luxury of resting players, but we are very optimistic and share the fans’ hopes for a positive result,” he said, emphasizing the team’s focus and readiness despite the pressure of past matches.

In the other semi-final, Saudi Arabia will face Oman at the Jaber Al-Mubarak International Stadium, with kick-off at 5:30 p.m.

Both matches promise thrilling action as the tournament heads toward its climax. — SG