Kuwait kickstart West Asian football bid with Saudi clash

BAGHDAD, July 21, (KUNA): Kuwait have been handed a tough opening match draw alongside Saudi Arabia as they kick off their West Asia Football Federation Championship campaign at Irbil’s Franso Hariri Stadium on Aug 4.

The 2010 winners, who are joint second all-time title holders, may have to overcome the hurdle of the 10-time Asian Cup holders in order to have any hopes of adding a second title.

Only two top sides in the dual-group competition will progress to the final, scheduled to be held at Iraq’s 30,000-spectator Karbala Stadium, located 100km southwest of Baghdad on Aug 14.

Both teams occupy Group B, alongside Jordan and Bahrain.

The corresponding Group A includes two former champions, Syria (2012) and hosts Iraq (2002), both of whom are also two-time runners-up, along with Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen.