Kuwait defender Falah undergoes treatment at Aspetar

Falah dribbles past Iraqi player Baish during the teams’ match last Saturday.

JEDDAH, Sept. 29: Kuwait defender Mohsen Falah has begun treatment at Aspetar Hospital in Qatar after suffering a partial hamstring tear during the national team’s Gulf Cup campaign.

Kuwait Football Association medical team head Dr Abdulmajeed Al-Banai said Falah underwent the necessary examinations after being injured in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Iraq in the second round of Group A.

“Medical examinations showed that Falah suffered a partial tear in the upper part of the hamstring,” Al-Banai said. “He is currently under the supervision of the medical team and has been transferred to Aspetar to continue his treatment.”

Falah was forced off during the match against Iraq and could not continue. He will undergo a rehabilitation program aimed at preparing him for a return to Kuwait Club, which resumes its Zain Premier League campaign next week. The defender is also expected to be available for the club’s AFC Champions League Two campaign in mid-October, depending on his recovery.

Kuwait goalkeeper Khaled Al-Rashidi also suffered a minor health problem and remains under observation by the medical team.

The Kuwait delegation returns from Jeddah today after completing its Gulf Cup campaign. The international players will be given a short rest before returning to their respective clubs tomorrow or the following day.

Kuwait exited the tournament at the group stage after losing 1-0 to hosts Saudi Arabia in the opening round and 3-2 to Iraq in the second.

Following their elimination, the Kuwait players apologized to the fans for failing to progress.

“We apologize to our fans. We did not want these results or to exit in the group stage,” promising defender Yousuf Al-Haqan said.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff