Player vie for the ball.

MYANMAR, Sept 9: Kuwait’s Olympic soccer team saw its AFC U-23 Asian Cup dreams end after a crushing 6-1 defeat to Japan in their final Group B qualifier at Thuwunna Stadium in Myanmar.

The Olympic side, which needed a win to advance, remained on four points and exited the qualifiers alongside Afghanistan and Myanmar. Japan, meanwhile, topped the group with a perfect nine points.

Kuwait started brightly, taking an early lead through Ahmed Boudi in the 10th minute. However, defensive lapses and organizational issues allowed Japan to quickly regain control. Takumo Kawai equalized in the 19th minute after capitalizing on a goalkeeper error, and Japan added a second goal from a penalty caused by Nasser Khidr in the 32nd minute. Late first-half strikes from Kawai and Ryonzuki Wada gave Japan a commanding 4-1 lead at halftime.

Despite substitutions by coach Dario Basic, including Mohammed Al-Surayei, Montaser Abdulsalam, Jarrah Al-Helili, and Mohammed Isa, Kuwait could not turn the tide. Japan scored twice more in the second half to complete a 6-1 victory, while Kuwait’s counterattacks failed to yield results.

The loss marks a disappointing end for Kuwait, which had started the campaign with hope but ultimately could not match the strength and consistency of its Japanese counterparts.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff