Al-Kuwait turns focus on Al-Jahra after AFC Cup exit

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AMMAN, Dec 12: Nabil Maaloul, the Tunisian coach of Kuwait Club attributed their exit from the AFC Cup to the physical challenges faced against Jordanian side Al-Wahdat.

Al-Kuwait, “Al-Abyad,” alongside Al-Arabi, was eliminated from the AFC Cup group stage, settling for a 1-1 draw with Al-Wahdat in the final round in Amman. This result placed them in third position, eliminating the chance to qualify as the best runner-up in the West Asian teams’ three groups. Al-Wehdat topped the group with 10 points, while Kuwait had 7 points and Iraqi Electricity secured 13 points.

During the post-match press conference, Coach Maaloul acknowledged the evident physical decline of his team, expressing the need to address and find solutions to this issue. He emphasized the challenges faced in the match against Al-Wahdat, stating that both teams were in search of victory. Despite the physical condition of the players, he praised the team’s effort to maintain their goal of progress. The absence of several attackers due to various circumstances posed an additional challenge.

Maaloul highlighted the intense pressure from Al-Wahdat in the final period, resulting in a goal that concluded Al-Abyad’s journey in the tournament. The team is set to resume training in preparation for their upcoming match against Al-Jahra in the Zain Premier League.

On the other side, Al-Wehdat coach Rashid Jaber noted that his team played with an offensive strategy from the start, aiming to score, but they struggled with the final touch. Despite having several opportunities in the last 20 minutes, they failed to capitalize, impacting the match result. He explained the cautious approach in managing player Bahaa Faisal’s participation to ensure his return in optimal condition.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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