Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuwait City: Javad Nekounam got his new club Kuwait SC off to the perfect start in their quest for a maiden AFC Champions League campaign with the only goal in their 1-0 win over Iraq’s Al Shorta in the 2014 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off first round at Kuwait S.C. Stadium on Sunday.
Following a goalless first half, the Iran captain curled home three minutes past the hour-mark to take the three-time AFC Cup champions into the next round and a trip to Uzbekistan for a match against Lokomotiv Tashkent on February 8.
Despite dominating play in the first half, visitors Al Shorta struggled to penetrate the Kuwait SC back-line and with chances at a premium it was the home-side, through Nekounam (pictured), who took the lead in an improved second-half performance before they comfortably closed out the game.
"It was a difficult match for the two teams due to the importance of the match as both sides wanted to maintain their chances of qualifying to the next rounds of the competition and this is why it was not an open match,” said Kuwait SC coach Ion Marin.
“We were good in the midfield and this is why we created many chances. However, we failed to score from the chances that we had but we eventually won the match thanks to the good experience that our players have.”
Al Shorta began the match on the offensive, bolstered by several of Iraq’s recently crowned 2013 AFC U-22 Championship winning side in their ranks including the tournament’s MVP Amjed Kalaf.
Kuwait SC, for their part, were content to soak up the pressure and look to hit the Iraqi side with swift counter-attacks on the break.
The home team's strategy almost paid off with five minutes remaining to half-time as Kuwait SC forward Fahad Al Enezi found himself inside the box, but his shot from close range was smothered out of danger by the Al Shorta defence.
After the interval, Kuwait SC raised their performance and began to wrest back control over proceedings. On the hour mark, Rogerinho (Rogério de Assis Silva Coutinho) displayed good individual skill to work his way into the penalty area only to see his effort ricochet back off Mohammed Kassid’s right-hand post, with the Al Shorta custodian beaten.
Yet from the ensuing loose ball, Iranian midfielder Nekounam took possession outside the area and returned it with interest, curling a low shot past Kassid and into the net.
Having taken the all-important lead, Kuwait SC were able to maintain their advantage and see out the remnants of the game as Al Shorta failed to find a way past Musab Al Kandari in the Kuwaiti goal.
“It was an even match in all aspects and we tried to concentrate on the quick attacks in order to stop the threat of our opponents who were playing at home and in front of their fans and they had a better advantage,” said Al Shorta coach Lorival Dos Santos.
“We continued our good performance until the early minutes of the second half until we conceded an unfortunate goal. We had some chances to get back into the game but we didn’t know how to score these chances.”
Photo: WSG