Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hangzhou: Kuwait were dealt a blow to their morale ahead of their must-win FIFA 2014 World Cup, third round qualifier against Korea Republic when they went down 2-0 to China in an international friendly at the Yellow Dragon Sports Centre.
Third-place Kuwait can still finish second in Group B if they can pull off a stunning victory in Korea and a UAE side that is anchored at the foot of the table having yet to pick up a point in five matches can get the better of Lebanon in Abu Dhabi.
Kuwait face a monumental task on Wednesday when they take on the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists in Seoul and Goran Tufegdzic was keen to test his side against East Asian opposition in their own backyard.
However, things didn't go well for Al Azraq with goals Gao Lin (45th) and Yu Dabao (77th) seeing China comfortable winners in the match that saw Zhao Xuri and Kuwait's Fahad Al Enezi sent off for an altercation a minute before half-time.
The Chinese are out of the reckoning for a place in the fourth round draw which takes place on March 9 in Kuala Lumpur and will play their final match in the Brazil 2014 qualifiers at home to Group A leaders Jordan.