KUWAIT CITY, June 26: Kuwait captain Bader Al-Mutawa overtook Egyptian legend Ahmed Hassan to become the most-capped player in international men’s football after playing a record 185th match on Friday against Bahrain. “The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Football Association, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, and the members of the Board of Directors congratulate the captain of the national team, Bader Al-Mutawa, after he became the dean of international players,” read a Kuwait FA statement.

The midfielder began playing as a striker, earning his first international cap in 2013. He was nominated for Best Asian Player in 2006 and 2010. Meanwhile, Kuwait failed to qualify for the FIFA Arab Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Bahrain at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. Al-Riffa forward Ali Haram scored both goals for his side in the 74th minute and the fourth minute of added time. Bahrain will join the 16-side Qatar-hosted tournament, which kicks off on November 30. (KUNA)