Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: There was late drama at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Friday as Kuwait struck in injury-time to claim a 1-0 win over Iraq in their 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations Group B opener.
Having watched United Arab Emirates and Oman play out a goalless stalemate in the day’s earlier game, it looked as though it was going to be the same scenario as both sides struggled to break the deadlock.
Based on how the game progressed over the 90 minutes, it seemed as though Iraq might just edge it given they enjoyed the dominant share of possession and also threatened the opposition goal on more occasions.
Nonetheless, the Kuwaitis soaked up all the pressure and went to snatch the victory in the 92nd minute; Bader Al Mutawa racing down the wing and holding up play well before laying it off to Fahad Al Enezi, who proceeded to curl a sublime shot past Jalal Hassan Hachem into the top corner.
With the triumph, Kuwait – the most successful side in Gulf Cup history with ten titles – moved top of the group, ahead of UAE and Oman who both have a point each.
All four teams in Group B will also be in continental action next January when they will vie with 12 other sides to win the AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia.
Photo: AFP