Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan had to settle for a share of the spoils from their 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualifying Group B opener following a goalless draw at the Al Qattara Stadium on Saturday.
With neither the Gulf side nor the Central Asians able to find the initiative, Jordan emerged as the early frontrunners following their comprehensive 5-0 victory over Pakistan in the Group B curtain raiser earlier on Saturday at the same venue.
Pakistan had been scheduled to host the qualifiers back in March but the matches were postponed and later moved to the UAE due to the security situation in Lahore following the troubles in the Youhanabad area of the city.
The action continues on Monday when Jordan look to build on their impressive opener when they face Kyrgyzstan in the day’s second match at the Al Qattara Stadium after Pakistan attempt to get their campaign back on track against Kuwait.
Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams from all groups will join hosts Qatar at the AFC U-23 Championship 2016, with January’s 16-team competition also serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio.
The 15 qualifiers for Qatar 2016 will be complete following the conclusion of Group B on May 20.