UAE 1-1 Kuwait

Striker Saif Rashid put the Emiratis 1-0 up in the 34th minute but Kuwait hit back with a brilliant left-foot finish from Mohammed Al Fahad to rescue a point.

The hosts were dominant throughout the match but a lack of clinical finishing in the final third prevented the hosts having a winning start to the competition.

The UAE dominated the match from the first whistle and came close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute when forward Yousif Saeed's delicious chip landed just on top of the Kuwait goal.

Waleed Ambar dribbled past three defenders but his goal-bound attempt was brilliantly saved by Kuwait keeper Khalifah Al Dhufairi before Saeed mistimed a brilliant set-up from Rashid at the goal mouth to the dismay of the home fans in the Emirates Stadium.

After the hosts missed series of chances early on, Kuwait's turn came in the 29th minute when Ahmad Shambih was called into action to save Mohammed Albathali's powerful shot.

Shambih was beaten by Al Fahad's ferocious drive a minute later but the woodwork came to the UAE keeper's rescue before the deadlock was finally broken in the 34th minute through Rashid's clever header which came courtesy of a brilliant assist from full back Abdulrahman Yousuf who managed to release the ball into the goal mouth from a tight angle.

Rashid's goal looked to have given the UAE the advantage to take into the second half but a lapse in concentration in defence allowed Kuwait to get back on to level terms.

Abdulrahman Al Shammari released a perfect through ball and before Shambih could claim possession, Al Fahad intercepted the ball and directed it coolly into the UAE for the goal that would ultimately rescue a point Kuwait.

The UAE pushed to regain their advantage but never really put pressure on Kuwait keeper Al Dhufairi thanks, in no small measure, to a valiant defensive display from the visitors.