Iraq, who were without injured talisman Aymen Hussein, suffered a setback as early as the seventh minute when Sulaka received his marching orders for impeding Yousef Al Sulaiman who was through on goal.

Faisal Al Harbi then wasted an opportunity to give Kuwait the lead when he shot his free-kick straight into the arms of Iraq keeper Jalal Hassan.

Both sides toiled in front of goal with Iraq’s Zaid Tahseen sending his headed attempt from inside the area wide in the 28th minute, while Kuwait’s Mohammad Daham saw his effort from distance miss the target moments later.

Ahmed Al Hajjaj wasted Iraq’s best chance of the half in the 41st minute after his glancing header sailed over the bar from Amir Al Ammari’s set-piece as the score remained 0-0 heading into the break.

Despite having the numerical advantage, Kuwait struggled to break down Iraq’s defensive resolve, while the latter failed to convert their chances with Ibrahim Bayesh and Amir Al Ammari both threatening.

Keeper Sulaiman Abdulghafoor kept Kuwait in the game when he denied Iraq’s Ali Jasim from inside the area in the 87th minute and despite 13 minutes of additional time, neither side could break the deadlock.